A1.40.2 - The adverbs of frequency: sempre, spesso, mai
Gli avverbi di frequenza: sempre, spesso, mai
Gli avverbi di frequenza indicano ogni quanto succede qualcosa.
(Frequency adverbs indicate how often something happens.)
- The adverb goes after the verb, except "di solito" and the adverbs that begin with "ogni".
- With "mai" it is mandatory to use negation.
| Frequenza (Frequency) | Avverbio (Adverb) | Esempio (Example) |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | Sempre/Ogni giorno (Always/Every day) | Faccio sempre esercizio. (I always exercise.) Ogni giorno vado in palestra. (Every day I go to the gym.) |
| 85% | Di solito (Usually) | Di solito vinco le partite. (Usually I win the matches.) |
| 70% | Spesso (Often) | Gioco spesso a tennis. (I play tennis often.) |
| 50% | Qualche volta (Sometimes) | Vado qualche volta in palestra. (I go to the gym sometimes.) |
| 40% | Ogni tanto (Occasionally) | Ogni tanto faccio nuoto. (Occasionally I go swimming.) |
| 20% | Raramente (Rarely) | Faccio sport raramente. (I do sports rarely.) |
| 10% | Quasi mai (Hardly ever) | Non gioco a tennis quasi mai. (I hardly ever play tennis.) |
| 0% | Mai (Never) | Non nuoto mai. (I never swim.) |
Exercise 1: Gli avverbi di frequenza: sempre, spesso, mai
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
qualche volta, sempre, Ogni tanto, Di solito, spesso, mai, raramente, ogni
Exercise 2: Multiple choice
Instruction: Choose the correct answer
1. In questo periodo fai ___ esercizio dopo il lavoro.
Lately you ___ work out after work.)2. Dopo l'ufficio vado ___ in palestra con i colleghi.
After work I ___ go to the gym with my colleagues.)3. Non faccio ___ ciclismo perché non ho la bicicletta.
I ___ go cycling because I don't have a bike.)4. ___ il sabato nuoto in piscina e ogni tanto faccio anche palestra.
___ on Saturdays I swim in the pool, and now and then I also go to the gym.)Exercise 3: Rewrite the phrases
Instruction: Rewrite the sentences by adding the frequency adverb indicated in parentheses and placing it in the correct position in the sentence. (Example: Mangio la frutta. (sempre) → Mangio sempre la frutta.)
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⇒ _______________________________________________ ExampleVado sempre in palestra.(I always go to the gym.)
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⇒ _______________________________________________ ExampleDi solito corro al parco.(I usually run in the park.)
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⇒ _______________________________________________ ExampleSpesso faccio yoga la sera.(I often do yoga in the evening.)
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⇒ _______________________________________________ ExampleQualche volta gioco a calcetto con i colleghi.(I sometimes play five-a-side football with my colleagues.)
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⇒ _______________________________________________ ExampleRaramente faccio sport dopo il lavoro.(I rarely exercise after work.)
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⇒ _______________________________________________ ExampleNon vado mai in piscina.(I never go to the pool.)
Apply this grammar during real conversations!
These grammar exercises are part of our conversation courses. Find a teacher and practise this topic during real conversations!
- Implements CEFR, DELE exam and Cervantes guidelines
- Supported by the university of Siegen
Written by
This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage
Fabio Pirioni
Bachelor in Humanities
University of Udine
Last Updated:
Thursday, 08/01/2026 07:16