What term describes a scale used to map frequency adverbs from never to always?

• A. Cline
• B. Continuum
• C. Spectrum
• D. Gradient

Answer: (A)

A cline describes a gradual, directional change along a dimension. Mapping frequency adverbs from never to always creates a continuous gradation in usage, not a set of distinct steps, and a cline captures that smooth variation. In linguistics, clines are used to describe how features change gradually across a scale of a variable like frequency, formality, or certainty. While continuum, spectrum, and gradient convey similar ideas of range, cline is the term that specifically emphasizes a gradual, flowing change in a linguistic trait along a defined axis.