Adverbs of Frequency

Present simple &Adverbs of Frequency
We use some adverbs to describe how frequently we do an activity.

These are called adverbs of frequency and include:
Frequency Adverb of Frequency Example Sentence

100% always I always go to bed before 11 p.m.
90% usually I usually have cereal for breakfast.
80% normally / generally I normally go to the gym.
70% often* / frequently I often surf the internet.
50% sometimes I sometimes forget my wife's birthday.
30% occasionally I occasionally eat junk food.
10% seldom I seldom read the newspaper.
5% hardly ever / rarely I hardly ever drink alcohol.
0% never I never swim in the sea.
The Position of the Adverb in a Sentence

An adverb of frequency goes before a main verb
Subject + adverb + main verb
Example: 1) I always remember to do my homework.
2) He normally gets good marks in exams.

An adverb of frequency goes after the verb To Be.
Subject + to be + adverb
Example: 1) They are never pleased to see me.
2) She isn't usually bad tempered.
When we use an auxiliary verb (have, will, must, might, could, would, can, etc.), the adverb is
placed between the auxiliary and the main verb. This is also true for to be.
Subject + auxiliary + adverb + main verb
Example: 1) She can sometimes beat me in a race.
2) I would hardly ever be unkind to someone.
3) They might never see each other again.
4) They could occasionally be heard laughing.
We can also use the following adverbs at the start of a sentence:
Usually, normally, often, frequently, sometimes, occasionally
Example: 1) Occasionally, I like to eat Thai food.
BUT we cannot use the following at the beginning of a sentence:
Always, seldom, rarely, hardly, ever, never.
‘’ We use hardly ever and never with positive, not negative verbs’’
Example: 1) She hardly ever comes to my parties.
2) They never say 'thank you'.

‘’ We use ever in questions and negative statements’’:
Example: 1) Have you ever been to New Zealand?
2) I haven't ever been to Switzerland. (The same as 'I have never been Switzerland')
Adverbs of Definite Frequency
We can also use the following expressions when we want to be more specific about the
frequency:
every day once a month twice a year four times a day
every other week daily monthly
Adverbs of Frequency Rules
These simple rules for adverbs of frequency will help you to use them correctly:
Always use adverbs of frequency to discuss how often something happens.
Adverbs of frequency are often used to indicate routine or repeated activities, so they are often
used with the present simple tense.
If a sentence has only one verb, place the adverb of frequency in the middle of the sentence so
that it is positioned after the subject but before the verb. For example: Tom never flies. He
always takes the bus.
When a sentence contains more than one verb, place the adverb of frequency before the main
verb. For example: They have often visited Europe.
When using an adverb of frequency in the negative or in forming a question, place it before the
main verb. For example: Do you usually get up so late?
Examples of Adverbs of Frequency
Each sentence contains an example of an adverb of frequency; the examples are italicized for
easy identification.
1. The incubator turns each egg hourly.

2. We take a vacation at least once annually.
3. I usually shop for groceries on Saturday mornings.
4. He is often late for work.
5. We seldom see John.
6. My dentist told me I should floss twice daily.
Adverbs of Frequency Exercises

The following exercises will help you to gain better understanding about how adverbs of
frequency work. Choose the best answer to complete each sentence.
1. I ________________ late on Saturdays.
a. Get up usually b. Get usually up c. Usually get up
2. Jared ______________ late for work.
a. Never is b. Is never
3. _______________ on weekends?
a. Often do you travel b. Do you often travel c. Often you do travel
4. Susan ________________ early for class.
a. Often is b. Are often c. Often are d. Is often
5. When do you ____________ go on vacation each year?
a. Always b. Never c. Usually d. Ever

Adverbs of Frequency List
This list of adverbs of frequency contains many of the most common; keep in mind though that
there are many other words which can serve in this capacity.
Always Annually Constantly Daily Eventually Ever Frequently
Generally Hourly Infrequently Later Monthly Never Next
Nightly Normally Now Occasionally Often Quarterly
Rarely Regularly Sometimes Soon Then Today Tonight
Weekly Yearly Yesterday Yet
Complete the sentences.

Use the adverb and the correct form of the verbs in brackets.
Use contractions where possible.
1. Our teacher, Mrs Jones (never / be) late for lessons.

2. I (often / clean) my bedroom at the weekend.
3. My brother (hardly ever / help) me with my homework.
4. I (sometimes / be) bored in the maths lessons.
5. We (rarely / watch) football on TV.
6. You and Tony (never / play) computer games with me.
7. You (usually / be) at the sports centre on Sunday.
8. The school bus (always / arrive) at half past eight.

Adverbs of Frequency

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Present simple &Adverbs of Frequency

We use some adverbs to describe how frequently we do an activity.

Frequency Adverb of Frequency Example Sentence

The Position of the Adverb in a Sentence

Example: 1) I always remember to do my homework.

2) He normally gets good marks in exams.

Example: 1) They are never pleased to see me.

2) She isn't usually bad tempered.

Subject + auxiliary + adverb + main verb

Example: 1) She can sometimes beat me in a race.

2) I would hardly ever be unkind to someone.

3) They might never see each other again.

4) They could occasionally be heard laughing.

We can also use the following adverbs at the start of a sentence:

Usually, normally, often, frequently, sometimes, occasionally

Example: 1) Occasionally, I like to eat Thai food.

BUT we cannot use the following at the beginning of a sentence:

Always, seldom, rarely, hardly, ever, never.

Example: 1) She hardly ever comes to my parties.

2) They never say 'thank you'.

Example: 1) Have you ever been to New Zealand?

Adverbs of Definite Frequency

every day once a month twice a year four times a day

every other week daily monthly

Adverbs of Frequency Rules

Always use adverbs of frequency to discuss how often something happens.

1. The incubator turns each egg hourly.

Adverbs of Frequency Exercises

1. I ________________ late on Saturdays.

a. Get up usually b. Get usually up c. Usually get up

2. Jared ______________ late for work.

a. Often do you travel b. Do you often travel c. Often you do travel

4. Susan ________________ early for class.

a. Often is b. Are often c. Often are d. Is often

5. When do you ____________ go on vacation each year?

a. Always b. Never c. Usually d. Ever

Always Annually Constantly Daily Eventually Ever Frequently

Generally Hourly Infrequently Later Monthly Never Next

Nightly Normally Now Occasionally Often Quarterly

Rarely Regularly Sometimes Soon Then Today Tonight

Weekly Yearly Yesterday Yet

Complete the sentences.

Use contractions where possible.

1. Our teacher, Mrs Jones (never / be) late for lessons.

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