Time expressions: sempre, nunca, às vezes, de vez em quando

markdown# Time Expressions: sempre, nunca, às vezes, de vez em quando

1. Synopsis

Portuguese frequency adverbs express how often actions occur, with flexible positioning and colloquial variations that reflect Brazilian attitudes toward time and routine, from absolute expressions (sempre/nunca) to variable frequencies.

2. Structure

frequency adverb + verb OR verb + frequency adverb OR frequency adverb at sentence beginning/end

3. Quick summary

• sempre = always
• nunca = never
• às vezes = sometimes
• de vez em quando = once in a while
• frequentemente = frequently
• raramente = rarely
• Position: usually before main verb
• After auxiliary verbs: tenho sempre feito
• Beginning for emphasis: Sempre disse isso!
• Nunca requires negative agreement
• Colloquial: direto, toda hora, vira e mexe