"Never" is both an adverb of time

[Untaught88]

Hi,

"Never" is both an adverb of time and frequency. How can one distinguish one from another?

 

[GoesStation]

Can you write a sentence in which its meaning is ambiguous? I've never [frequency] seen one that I can recall. I'm having trouble writing a phrase where it has a meaning that doesn't fall into the "frequency" rubric.

 

[Tdol]

I never said that, though some regard it as a less acceptable usage, seems to be time more than frequency to me when it has the meaning that the person didn't say it on a specific occasion.

 

[Raymott]

Frequency is a derivative of time; it means the number of events per unit of time.

"I'll never stop loving you." (Time)
"I never swim more than twice a week." (Frequency (time))