经常, 常常, 总是 and 又 for “Often”, “Always” and “Again”
Say how often something happens with 经常, 常常 and 总是, and use 又 for a repeat that already happened.
Pattern
subject + 常/经常/常常/总/总是 + verb; subject + 又 + verb (+ 了)
常, 经常 and 常常 mean “often,” 总 and 总是 mean “always,” and 又 says something happened again; for a repeat that has not happened yet, use 再.
他昨天迟到了，今天又迟到了。
When to use 经常, 常常, 总是 and 又 for “Often”, “Always” and “Again”
These adverbs go after the subject and before the verb, including before a 在 place phrase: 我经常在图书馆学习. 常, 常常 and 经常 all mean “often”; 常 is shorter and a little more written in style, while 经常 and 常常 are very common in speech.
我经常在图书馆学习。
I often study in the library.
他常常给妈妈打电话。
He often calls his mom.
我们常去那家饭馆。
We often go to that restaurant.
她总是第一个到教室。
She is always the first to get to the classroom.
Common traps
- Say 不常 or 不经常, not 不常常.
- 又 is for a repeat that already happened; use 再 for one you plan or ask for.
- Put these adverbs before the verb: 我经常去, not 我去经常.
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