Grammar Guide

What is it?

Adverbs of frequency show how often an action happens.

Common adverbs of frequency include:

• always — every time
• usually — most of the time
• often — many times
• sometimes — on some occasions
• rarely — not often
• hardly ever — almost never
• never — at no time

These words describe frequency without giving an exact number.

When to use

Use adverbs of frequency to talk about habits, routines, and repeated actions.

• I usually drink coffee in the morning.
• She often walks to work.
• They never eat meat.

They are commonly used with the Present Simple because this tense describes regular actions and habits.

Some expressions give more exact frequency:

• every day
• once a week
• twice a month
• three times a year

These expressions usually come at the beginning or end of a sentence.

• I exercise three times a week.
• Every Friday, we order pizza.

Structure

With most verbs

Place the adverb of frequency before the main verb.

subject + adverb of frequency + main verb

• We sometimes play tennis.
• He rarely drives at night.

With the verb “be”

Place the adverb of frequency after the verb be.

subject + be + adverb of frequency

• He is never late.
• We are usually at home on Sundays.

With auxiliary and modal verbs

Place the adverb after the first auxiliary or modal verb.

subject + auxiliary or modal + adverb + main verb

• She can always help you.
• I have never seen that film.
• They do not usually work on weekends.
• He will often call in the evening.

Sometimes, usually, and often

Sometimes, usually, and often can also appear at the beginning of a sentence.

• Sometimes, I walk to work.
• Usually, we eat dinner at home.
• Often, she reads before bed.

Sometimes can also appear at the end.

• I cook dinner sometimes.

Never

Never already has a negative meaning. Do not use it with not.

• I never smoke.
• She is never rude.

Examples

1. I always check my email in the morning.
2. She usually takes the bus to work.
3. We often cook dinner together.
4. He sometimes forgets his keys.
5. They rarely go to restaurants.
6. My parents hardly ever travel in winter.
7. I never drink coffee at night.
8. She is always friendly to customers.
9. We are usually busy on Mondays.
10. He can often solve difficult problems.

Exceptions

Some frequency expressions do not follow the usual adverb position.

Expressions such as every day, once a week, and three times a month usually come at the beginning or end of the sentence.

• I call my parents once a week.
• Every morning, she goes for a walk.

The adverb sometimes can come before the main verb, at the beginning, or at the end of a sentence.

• I sometimes work from home.
• Sometimes, I work from home.
• I work from home sometimes.

Common mistakes

1. Incorrect: I go always to work by bus. Correct: I always go to work by bus. Explanation: Place the adverb before the main verb.

2. Incorrect: She always is tired. Correct: She is always tired. Explanation: Place the adverb after the verb be.

3. Incorrect: He does never eat breakfast. Correct: He never eats breakfast. Explanation: Never already has a negative meaning, so do not use does as a negative auxiliary.

4. Incorrect: They don't never arrive late. Correct: They never arrive late. Explanation: Do not use not and never together.

5. Incorrect: I am drink usually coffee. Correct: I usually drink coffee. Explanation: Do not use am before a main verb in the Present Simple.

6. Incorrect: She can drive always safely. Correct: She can always drive safely. Explanation: Place the adverb after the modal verb can.

7. Incorrect: We go to the gym often every day. Correct: We go to the gym every day. Explanation: Avoid using two frequency expressions when one is enough.

8. Incorrect: He never is late. Correct: He is never late. Explanation: With the verb be, place the adverb after the verb.