What are Adverbs of Frequency?
Adverbs of frequency tell us how often something happens. They answer the question "How often?".
They are essential for describing routines, habits, and regular occurrences.
I always brush my teeth before bed.
She never eats meat.
We sometimes go to the cinema.
Common Adverbs of Frequency
Here's a list of common adverbs of frequency, generally ordered from most frequent to least frequent:
| Frequency | Adverb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | always | He always arrives on time. |
| 90% | usually, normally | They usually have breakfast at 7 AM. |
| 70% | often, frequently | We often visit our grandparents. |
| 50% | sometimes | I sometimes read before sleeping. |
| 30% | occasionally | She occasionally goes for a run. |
| 10% | seldom, hardly ever | He hardly ever watches TV. |
| 0% | never | They never complain. |
Position of Adverbs of Frequency
The position of adverbs of frequency in a sentence is very important and generally follows these rules:
1. Before the Main Verb
Most adverbs of frequency (always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never, etc.) come before the main verb.
I always drink coffee in the morning.
She never forgets her keys.
We usually eat dinner at home.
2. After the Verb 'to be'
When the main verb is a form of 'to be' (am, is, are, was, were), the adverb of frequency comes after it.
He is always happy.
They are never late for class.
I am sometimes tired after work.
3. Between Auxiliary Verb and Main Verb
If there is an auxiliary verb (e.g., have, has, do, does, will, can, must), the adverb of frequency comes between the auxiliary verb and the main verb.
I have never seen such a beautiful sunset.
She doesn't often travel abroad.
You should always check your answers.
4. 'Sometimes' and 'Often' can be at the beginning or end
'Sometimes' and 'often' are more flexible and can also appear at the beginning or end of a sentence, especially for emphasis.
Sometimes, I feel like giving up.
*I go jogging sometimes.
Often, we eat out on Fridays.
We go to the beach often*.
Adverbs of Definite Frequency
These adverbs tell us exactly how often something happens. They usually go at the end or beginning of a sentence.
- Examples: daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, every day, once a week, twice a month, three times a year.
I go to the gym every day.
Once a week, she calls her mother.
*They have a meeting monthly*.
Common Errors and How to Fix Them
| ✗ Incorrect | ✓ Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| I drink always coffee. | I always drink coffee. | Adverb of frequency goes before the main verb. |
| He never is late. | He is never late. | Adverb of frequency goes after the verb 'to be'. |
| Do you often go out? | Do you often go out? | Adverb of frequency goes between auxiliary and main verb in questions. |
| Every day I go to the gym. | I go to the gym every day. (or) Every day, I go to the gym. | Adverbs of definite frequency are usually at the beginning or end. |
Real-World Examples
Talking about daily routine:
"What do you do in the evenings?" "I usually cook dinner, and then I often read a book. I hardly ever watch TV."
Asking about habits:
"Do you always have breakfast?" "No, I sometimes skip it if I'm in a hurry."
Describing work schedule:
"How often do you work weekends?" "I occasionally work on Saturdays, but I never work on Sundays."
Summary
| Adverb Type | Position Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Indefinite Frequency (always, never, etc.) | Before main verb, after 'to be', between auxiliary and main verb. | I always study. He is never sad. I have often wondered. |
| Definite Frequency (every day, once a week, etc.) | Usually at the beginning or end of the sentence. | I go to the gym every day. Once a week, we meet. |
💡 Key takeaway: Pay close attention to the verb type (main verb, 'to be', or auxiliary) to correctly place adverbs of frequency.