Frequency adverbs are words that describe how often an action takes place. They are essential for expressing routines, habits, and regularity in any language. In French, frequency adverbs help you talk about daily activities, repeat events, and anything related to time intervals. Some common French frequency adverbs include:
- toujours (always)
- souvent (often)
- quelquefois (sometimes)
- rarement (rarely)
- jamais (never)
French frequency adverbs are usually placed before the main verb in a sentence. For example:
- Elle toujours mange des fruits. (She always eats fruit.)
- Nous sommes souvent en retard. (We are often late.)
For compound tenses like passé composé, frequency adverbs are placed between the auxiliary verb and the past participle:
- Il a toujours aimé le chocolat. (He has always liked chocolate.)
Some adverbs expressing frequency can also be used at the beginning or end of a sentence for emphasis:
- Quelquefois, je vais au cinéma. (Sometimes, I go to the movies.)
Understanding frequency adverbs will help you describe when things happen, making your French more precise and expressive.
- Use adverbs like toujours, souvent, quelquefois to talk about how often you do things.
- Place most frequency adverbs before the main verb, or between auxiliary and participle in compound tenses.
- Begin or end sentences with some adverbs for added emphasis.