Expressing frequency simply

• We sometimes go out for a drink after work.

• I play tennis twice a week.

• I often skip lunch.

The expressions in red are adverbs (or adverbial phrases) of frequency. They provide information on how often — how frequently — something happens. The information they give us is either indefinite (not mentioning specific points in time) or definite (specific).

Indefinite frequencyThe most common adverbs of indefinite frequency are:

never (0%) | rarely | sometimes | often | usually | always (100%)

The line shows increasing frequency. “Never” indicates a frequency of 0 per cent, and “always” a frequency of 100 per cent, while the others are in between.

Other examples, also in increasing frequency, are:

seldom | occasionally | frequently | regularly | normally | generally

Ever

The word “ever” is also an adverb of indefinite frequency. It means “at any time” and is used mainly in questions, sentences with a negative meaning and if-sentences:

• Have you ever met Bob Rhodes?

• She is hardly ever friendly.

• Please let me know if you ever need my help.