Adverbs of frequency show how often something happens and help you describe routines and habits. This guide covers common adverbs and useful expressions so you can talk about frequency naturally.
Key Adverbs
Adverbs of frequency typically come before the main verb, except when there's an auxiliary. Adverbs like toujours and souvent are common in everyday speech.
| French Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| toujours | always | |
| souvent | often | |
| parfois | sometimes | |
| rarement | rarely | |
| jamais | never |
I always have a coffee in the morning.
Expressions
Expressions of frequency can be more precise and usually come at the end of the sentence. They help you give a clear idea of how often an action occurs.
| French Expression(s) | English Expression(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| tous les jours | every day | |
| une fois par semaine | once a week | |
| de temps en temps | from time to time | |
| plusieurs fois par mois | several times a month | |
| parfois | sometimes |
Placement
Adverbs of frequency go before the infinitive when used with a modal or auxiliary, and adverbial expressions typically appear at the sentence end. Placement can change emphasis, so pay attention to where the adverb appears.
Summary
Adverbs like toujours, souvent, and jamais go before the main verb, while expressions such as tous les jours come at the end. Use these adverbs and expressions to describe routines and habits clearly.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025