What are adverbs of frequency?
Adverbs of frequency indicate the regularity with which an event occurs or has occurred. The range of action frequency spans from 100% (always) to 0% (never).
The most frequently used adverbs of frequency include:
always, usually, generally, often, sometimes, occasionally, seldom, rarely, never
The phrases ‘How often’ and ‘How many times’ are employed to inquire about frequency.
Adverbs of Frequency Examples
I always drink coffee in the morning.
She usually walks to school.
They often play football after class.
We sometimes watch movies on weekends.
He rarely eats fast food.
My brother never wakes up early on Sundays.
The teacher always gives homework on Friday.
I frequently visit my grandparents.
Sarah occasionally cooks dinner for the family.
Tom is usually very busy in the afternoon.
Position of Adverbs of Frequency in a Sentence
1. Before the Main Verb
Adverbs of frequency usually come before the main verb.
Structure:
Subject + adverb of frequency + main verb
Examples:
She always drinks coffee in the morning.
They usually study after dinner.
I often visit my grandparents.
We sometimes watch movies at night.
He never eats spicy food.
2. After the Verb “To Be”When the verb is am / is / are / was / were, the adverb comes after the verb.
Structure:
Subject + be verb + adverb of frequency
Examples:
She is always happy.
They are usually late for class.
I am often tired after work.
He is never rude to people.
3. At the Beginning or End of a Sentence
Some adverbs like sometimes, usually, and often can also appear at the beginning or end for emphasis.
Examples:
Sometimes, I walk to school.
Usually, we eat dinner early.
I go jogging on weekends sometimes.
⇔ Take a quiz on adverbs of frequency.
Common Expressions of Frequency
1. Every + Time Expression
These expressions show a regular pattern.
every day
every week
every month
every year
every morning
Examples:
I drink coffee every morning.
She visits her grandmother every week.
They travel abroad every year.
2. Once / Twice / Three Times + Period of Time
These expressions tell the number of times an action happens.
once a day
twice a week
three times a month
Examples:
He exercises twice a week.
We order pizza once a month.
She calls her parents three times a day.
3. Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Yearly
These are more formal frequency expressions.
Examples:
The report is checked daily.
We have a weekly meeting.
The magazine is published monthly.
They organize a festival yearly.
4. From Time to Time / Occasionally
These expressions mean “sometimes, but not regularly.”
Examples:
I go hiking from time to time.
She occasionally eats fast food.
We visit that café once in a while.
5. Rarely Used Frequency Phrases
These phrases are also common in conversation.
now and then
once in a while
all the time
most of the time
Examples:
He plays video games all the time.
We watch old movies now and then.
She is busy most of the time.
Position in a Sentence
Most frequency expressions are placed:
At the end of the sentence
I read books every night.
They go shopping twice a month.
At the beginning of the sentence (for emphasis)
Every weekend, we visit our cousins.
From time to time, he writes poetry.
Time to practice!
How often do you do these things?
– go to the club
– eat out with family
– visit grandparents
– shop stores online
– buy a new magazine