Adverbs of Frequency
Adverbs of frequency answer the question “How often?” They tell us how often something happens. We usually use them with the Present Simple tense because they talk about repeated actions.
Common Adverbs of Frequency and Their Percentages
| Frequency | Adverb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | always | I always drink coffee in the morning. |
| 90% | usually | She usually walks to school. |
| 80% | normally | We normally eat dinner at 7 pm. |
| 70% | often | He often goes to the gym. |
| 50% | sometimes | Sometimes I watch movies at night. |
| 30% | occasionally | They occasionally travel abroad. |
| 10% | seldom | I seldom eat fast food. |
| 5% | rarely | She rarely drinks soda. |
| 0% | never | He never smokes. |
Where to Put Adverbs of Frequency in a Sentence
Before the main verb:
I never watch TV on weekdays.
They always arrive early.
We rarely eat out.
At the beginning or end of a sentence (to emphasize):
Sometimes I go for a run in the morning.
I go to the library frequently.
Normally I take the bus, but today I walked.
Adverbs like always, never, seldom, rarely, hardly ever usually go only in the middle of the sentence.
With the Verb “To Be”
If the sentence has to be, put the adverb after it:
She is usually very busy.
I am never late.
They are often happy.
Important!
Always can only go in the middle of the sentence, never at the beginning or end.
Always we have lunch at noon.
We have lunch at noon always.
We always have lunch at noon.
Other Frequency Expressions
These longer phrases go at the beginning or end of a sentence:
every now and again (sometimes)
again and again (many times)
all the time (constantly)
almost never (very rarely)
constantly (all the time)
every so often (sometimes)
from time to time (sometimes)
now and then (sometimes)
once a day (one time per day)
once a year (one time per year)
once in a blue moon (very rarely)
again and again (many times)
all the time (constantly)
almost never (very rarely)
constantly (all the time)
every so often (sometimes)
from time to time (sometimes)
now and then (sometimes)
once a day (one time per day)
once a year (one time per year)
once in a blue moon (very rarely)
Using “Every” to Talk About Frequency
We can combine every with time periods:
every day (daily)
every week (weekly)
every two weeks (biweekly)
every month (monthly)
every year (annually)
every week (weekly)
every two weeks (biweekly)
every month (monthly)
every year (annually)
Using “Times” to Talk About Frequency
Use the structure:
number + times + a + time period
three times a week
five times a month
six times a year
five times a month
six times a year
Don’t say one time a day or two times a day. Instead say:
once a day
twice a day
twice a day
New Examples
I always brush my teeth before bed.
She usually drinks tea in the morning.
We often visit our grandparents on weekends.
They sometimes play soccer after school.
He rarely watches TV during the week.
I am never late for work.
We eat out once a month.
She goes to the gym three times a week.
I check my email every day.
They call their parents once in a while.
