Adverbs of frequency

Adverbs of frequency always tell us how often something is done, either indefinite or definite terms which come from the word ending in -ly. They're usually used with verbs in the simple present tense. It typically modifies verbs, or action words, and shows how often an action happens. Indefinite adverbs of frequency, such as 'rarely,' do not specify an exact amount of time and typically come before the main verb in a sentence.

Adverbs of Frequency

English Grammar Rules

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

These are called adverbs of frequency and include:

Frequency	Adverbs of Frequency	Example with Sentence
100%	always	I always get up early at 4 am.
90%	usually	I usually have bread and butter for breakfast.
80%	normally / generally	I normally go to the gym.
70%	often* / frequently	I often go for a trek.
50%	sometimes	I sometimes go to the theatre.
30%	occasionally	I occasionally drink beer.
10%	seldom	I seldom read the newspaper.
5%	hardly ever / rarely	I hardly ever drink milk tea.
0%	never	I never played gymnastics.

Some people pronounce the 'T' often but many others do not.

The Position of the Adverb in a Sentence

An adverb of frequency goes before the main verb (except with TO BE).

Subject + adverb + main verb

I always remember to greet my elders.

She normally gets good grades in exams.

An adverb of frequency goes after the verb TO BE

Subject + to be + adverb

They are never pleased to see me.

He isn't usually boring.

When we use an auxiliary verb (have, will, must, might, could, would, etc.), the adverb is placed between the auxiliary and the main verb. This is also true for TO BE.

Subject + auxiliary + adverb + main verb

He can sometimes beat me in the exam.

I would hardly ever forget her.

They might never see each other again.

They could occasionally be heard praying.

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

Usually, normally, often, frequently, sometimes, occasionally

• Occasionally, I like to eat spicy 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:

• She hardly ever comes to my parties.
• They never say 'thank you'.

We use ever in questions and negative statements:

• Have you ever been to Pokhara?
• I haven't ever been to Austria. (The same as 'I have never been Austria').

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