Frequency adverbs — いつも, よく, 時々, あまり, 全然
Can use frequency adverbs correctly
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
週末はよく映画を見ます。
I often watch movies on weekends.
お酒は全然飲みません。
I don't drink alcohol at all.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
| Adverb | Meaning | Frequency | Verb form |
|---|---|---|---|
| いつも | always | 100% | affirmative |
| よく | often | ~80% | affirmative |
| 時々(ときどき) | sometimes | ~40% | affirmative |
| あまり | not much | ~20% | negative |
| 全然(ぜんぜん) | not at all | 0% | negative |
Key rule: あまり and 全然 MUST be used with negative verb forms: あまり食べません。全然分かりません。
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
Practice ExercisesUsing あまり/全然 with affirmative verbs (あまり食べます× → あまり食べません○)
週末はよく映画を見ます。
I often watch movies on weekends.
週末(しゅうまつ, weekend) + は + よく(often) + 映画(えいが, movie) + を + 見ます(みます, watch)
お酒は全然飲みません。
I don't drink alcohol at all.
全然(ぜんぜん, not at all) + 飲みません(のみません, don't drink) — 全然 requires negative verb!
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises