If something always happened, what percentage frequency would you assign to that event? Presumably 100%. And if something never happened? Presumably 0%. Well, not everyone shares that opinion. By “always” some mean as infrequently as 91% of the time, and “never” can mean as often as 2% of the time. The combined results of seven studies of what people mean when they use words such as always, commonly, often, frequently, occasionally, sometimes, seldom, rarely, and never are summarised in the table (for references see Drug Safety 2005;28: 851-70). For comparison, I have also included definitions from the Oxford English Dictionary.
Table 1.
Interpretations of words used to indicate frequencies
| Word | Interpretation (range of mean percentages) | Definition in the Oxford English Dictionary |
|---|---|---|
| Invariably/always |
91-100 |
At every time, on every occasion, at all times, on all occasions. Opposed to sometimes, occasionally |
| Almost always |
85-94 |
— |
| Normally |
71-81 |
Under normal or ordinary conditions; as a rule, ordinarily |
| Usually |
70-84 |
In a usual or wonted manner; according to customary, established, or frequent usage; commonly, customarily, ordinarily; as a rule |
| More often than not |
64 |
— |
| Common(ly) |
56-69 |
As a usual circumstance; as a general thing; in ordinary cases; usually, ordinarily, generally |
| Often |
42-71 |
Many times; at many times; on numerous occasions; frequently; for a significant amount or proportion of the time |
| Frequent(ly) |
36-72 |
At frequent or short intervals, often, repeatedly |
| Not infrequently |
24-35 |
Rather frequently |
| Occasionally |
17-21 |
Now and then, at times, sometimes; irregularly and infrequently |
| On occasion |
12 |
As need or opportunity arises; now and then, occasionally |
| Infrequently |
12-14 |
Not frequently; somewhat rarely, seldom |
| Sometimes |
11-33 |
On some occasions; at times; now and then |
| Seldom |
7-8 |
On few occasions, in few cases or instances, not often; rarely, infrequently |
| Almost never |
2 |
Scarcely ever |
| Very rare(ly) |
0.8-3 |
— |
| Rare(ly) |
0.5-9 |
Seldom, infrequently, in few instances |
| Exceptionally |
0.4-1 |
Uncommonly, unusually |
| Never | 0-2 | At no time or moment; on no occasion; not ever |
Look, for example, at “occasionally,” “infrequently,” and “seldom”; according to the dictionary they all mean roughly the same thing, but the frequencies that people think these words represent do not overlap at all. Perhaps the lexicographers should reconsider some of their definitions—although surely not “never”—nohow. And perhaps when we use words like this we should remember what the German conductor Hans Richter supposedly once said: “Up with your damned nonsense will I put twice, or perhaps once, but sometimes always, by God, never.”