(1) always 的频度为100%,表示动作重复、状态继续,中间没有间断,意思是“总是”、“永远地”.
例如:The sun always rises in the east and sets in west.太阳总是东升西落.
(2) usually 的频度为70%左右,意为“通常”、“平常”,即很少有例外.
例如:He usually goes to bed at ten o’clock.他通常10点钟睡觉.
(3) often 的频度为50%左右,意为“常常”,但不如usually那么频繁,表示动作重复,中间有间断.
例如:He is often later for school.他上学经常迟到.
very often 语气比often 重,常位于句首或句末.
例如:He doesn’t go to London very often.他不常去伦敦.
(4) sometimes 的频度为20%左右,意为“有时”,表示动作偶尔发生.可以位于句首,以示强调.
例如:It is sometimes hot and sometimes cold.天气忽冷忽热.
Sometimes he does it this way and sometimes he does it that way.
他有时这样做,有时那样做.
(5) hardly ever 的频度为5%左右,意为“几乎不”、“偶尔”.
例如:I hardly ever go out these days.这些天我几乎不出门.
(6) never 的频度为0,意为“从来不”、“永不”.
例如:My parents are never late for work.我父母上班从来不迟到.