英語の頻度を表す副詞一覧｜“Always”から“Almost never”までよく使う表現15選
In English, we often talk about how often something happens. Do you always eat breakfast? Do you sometimes go running? Do you rarely watch TV?
Words like always, never, and sometimes help us explain these things. These are called adverbs of frequency.
In this post, we’ll look at common and useful adverbs, including some more natural and nuanced options for learners who want to speak more fluently.
Common Adverbs of Frequency
Let’s start with the most common words. These are easy to understand and often used in everyday English.
From 100% (always) to 0% (never):
Always – 100%
“She always remembers my birthday.”
Almost always – 90–95%
“I almost always have coffee in the morning.”
Usually – about 80%
“He usually finishes work at 6 p.m.”
Often – about 60–70%
“We often go out on weekends.”
Sometimes – about 40–50%
“I sometimes eat lunch at my desk.”
Occasionally – 20–30%
“She occasionally visits her grandparents.”
Rarely – about 10–20%
“He rarely watches TV.”
Almost never – 1–5%
“They almost never eat fast food.”
Never – 0%
“I never smoke.”
More Nuanced or Advanced Words
These words are less common but can be useful for students who want more variety or detail in their speech and writing.
Seldom – similar to “rarely,” but more formal
“He seldom speaks in meetings.”
Hardly ever – very rarely, slightly informal
“I hardly ever eat sweets.”
Infrequently – not often, more formal
“The buses come infrequently in this area.”
Sporadically – not regularly, at random times
“She exercises sporadically throughout the year.”
Useful Phrases for Frequency
These are not single words, but common expressions that describe how often something happens.
Every day / every week / every month
“I check my email every day.”
Once a week / twice a month / three times a year
“We meet for dinner once a week.”
From time to time / now and then
“I visit that café from time to time.”
All the time – very often (casual speech)
“He’s on his phone all the time.”
Word Order Tips
Use adverbs of frequency before the main verb:
“I often go to bed late.”
“She rarely eats meat.”
But place them after the verb ‘be’:
“He is usually calm.”
“They are always late.”
Quick Practice
Which adverb or phrase fits best in each sentence?
He ______ orders food delivery – it’s his most used app on his phone!
She ______ remembers her umbrella, and often arrives home wet from rain.
I ______ eat sweets – maybe just on my birthday.
They ______ go hiking. Some months they go every weekend, and other times not at all.
We ______ check the news in the morning as part of our routine.
He ______ replies to emails on time, so don’t expect a quick answer.
Final Thoughts
Adverbs of frequency are useful for talking about habits, routines, and patterns. Try learning the basic ones first, then add some of the more detailed ones to express yourself clearly and naturally.
Possible Answers
usually / often
rarely / never
almost never / hardly ever
sporadically / occasionally
always / every day
seldom / infrequently