Comparing "changchang" and "jingchang"

\r\nBoth 常常 (chángcháng) and 经常 (jīngcháng) express similar concepts, though using them properly requires attention to some small details. \r\n== Both are used as adverbs expressing frequency ==\r\n常常 and 经常 both express that the action happened many times, and that the time between each time it happens is very short.\r\n === Structure ===\r\n

常常/经常 + Verb

\r\n=== Examples ===\r\n

• 奶奶 去世 以前，我 常常 去 看 她。Before Grandma died, I often went to see her.
• 以前， 我 经常 不 吃 早 饭。Before, I often didn't eat breakfast.

\r\n== 经常 can also be used to describe actions in the future==\r\n经常 can also be used in actions in the future. You cannot do this with 常常。\r\n

Structure

\r\n

经常 + Verb

\r\n=== Examples ===\r\n

• 你 以后 要 经常 做 运动。Later, you are going to exercise often.
• 这个项目 做完 以后， 我 会 经常 陪 你。Once this project is done, then I can go with you more often.

\r\n== 经常 is also used as an adjective ==\r\n经常 is not only a time adverb, it can also be an adjective. When using it as an adjective, place it before the noun or using it in combination with 性 to make it into 经常性. You cannot do thing with 常常.\r\n === Structure ===\r\n

经常 + Noun

\r\n=== Examples ===\r\n

• 她 忘记 带 钥匙 是 经常 的 事情。Her forgetting to bring a key is a frequent occurrence.
• 接待 客户 对 我们 来 说 是经常 性 工作。Greeting customers is a common job for us.

\r\n== Negative form “不常”/“不经常”==\r\nThe negative form of 经常 is 不经常. 常常 is usually 不常 in it's negative form.\r\n === Structure ===\r\n

不 + 经常

\r\n

不 + 常

\r\n=== Examples ===\r\n

• 我 不 经常 看 电视。I don't watch television very often.
• 他 不 常 来 我 家。He doesn't come to my house very often.
• 我 不 常 在家 做 饭。I don't cook very often at home.

\r\n== Examples of right and wrong sentences==\r\n

• 你 以后 要 常常 做 运动。"常常" can't be used in the future.
• 你 以后 要 经常 做 运动。Later, you are going to exercise often.
• 这 是 常常 的 事。"常常" can not be an adjective.
• 这 是 经常 的 事。This is a common event.

\r\n== Example dialog ==\r\n

• A: 你 以前经常 不 吃 早 饭 吗？You didn't often eat breakfast before?
• B: 对，我 常常 睡 到 中午 十二点。Right, I often slept until noon.
• A: 不 经常 吃 早 饭 不 是 个 好 习惯。Not eating breakfast often isn't a good habit.
• B: 我 知道。我 决定 以后 经常 吃 早饭。I know. I decided I'm going to eat breakfast often from now on.

\r\n== See also ==\r\n== Sources and further reading ==\r\n=== Websites ===\r\nThe two types of verbal plurality: the case of jingchang (經 常) ‘usually’ and changchang (常常) ‘often’\r\n