In our everyday language, adverbs are scattered throughout our speech, but one particular category stands out for its importance – adverbs of time. Within this category, there is a subset called “frequency adverbs” that play a key role in conveying the frequency of an event. These adverbs can give you insight into how often an action occurs without digging into the specific times when that action occurs.
For example, although the adverb tomorrow Specify the event that is occurring tomorrowadverb often (often) does not narrow the time range to a specific moment.
Below you will find the eight most commonly used adverbs of frequency in Italian. Each adverb is accompanied by one or two descriptive sentences that effectively demonstrate its use in context. enjoy!
always
English meaning: always
Unlike English, always Comes after the main verb.In compound tenses, e.g. present perfect tense, which is located between the auxiliary verb and the past participle.you may see always If you want to emphasize it, put it at the end of the sentence. always (For example I take vitamins, always. = I always Take my vitamins.) but this is the exception to the rule.
I always go to the swimming pool.
I always go to the swimming pool.
I have always dreamed of going to Italy.
I have always dreamed of going to Italy.
almost always
English meaning: almost always
almost always Its function is the same as always.
I almost always read the newspaper.
I almost always read the newspaper.
they have almost always Had takeout.
They almost always have takeout.
usually
English meaning: usually
Synonyms: usually, usually, usually, usually, usually
usually (and its various synonyms) can come after a verb or at the beginning of a sentence.
This is not my usual movie.
This is not the type of movie I usually watch.
Usually, I have dinner at seven o’clock.
Usually, I have dinner at seven o’clock.
often
English meaning: often
Synonyms: Frequently, often, diligently, habitually, usually, generally
often Appears in Italian before or after the verb it modifies. It can appear at the beginning or end of a sentence.
I often go to pizza places.
I often go to pizza places.
I often feel sad.
I often feel sad.
from time to time
English meaning: sometimes, sometimes, often
Synonyms: sometimes, sometimes, sometimes, sometimes, sometimes
from time to time Appears in Italian before or after the verb it modifies. It can appear at the beginning or end of a sentence.
I enjoy re-reading this book from time to time.
Sometimes I enjoy re-reading this book.
i hope you stay here from time to time.
I wish you could stay here sometimes.
rare
English meaning: very strange
Synonyms: rarely, little, few, sporadic, very few
rare Appears in Italian before or after the verb it modifies. It can appear at the beginning or end of a sentence.
I rarely eat pineapple pizza.
I rarely eat pineapple pizza.
Davide and Paola out with friends few friends.
David and Paula rarely go out with friends.
almost never
English meaning: almost none
almost never Its function is the same as possible (no way) – see below.
I almost never listen to rap music.
I barely listen to rap music.
As a child, I hardly watched TV.
I hardly watched TV when I was a kid.
possible
English meaning: Never (can also be used as “ever” in questions)
possiblewhen used as an adverb of frequency, is always accompanied by negation No, producing a double negative. Unlike English, possible Comes after the main verb.In compound tenses, e.g. present perfect tensewhich is located between the auxiliary verb and the past participle.
They never go to the cinema.
They never go to the cinema.
They had never seen that movie.
They had never seen that movie.
So, these are the most common adverbs of frequency in Italian! Why not try using one in a sentence in the comments below?
Heather Broster is a graduate with honors in linguistics from the University of Western Ontario. She is an aspiring polyglot, fluent in English and Italian, as well as varying degrees of fluency in Japanese, Welsh and French. Originally from Toronto, Heather has lived in several countries, notably Italy for six years. Her main research areas are language acquisition, education and bilingual teaching.
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