Adverbs of Frequency

1. What are adverbs of frequency?

Adverbs of frequency tell us how often something happens.

They answer the question: "How often?"

Examples:

• How often do you drink coffee? — I sometimes drink coffee.
• How often do you read books? — I never read books.

Using adverbs of frequency allows you to talk about habits, routines, and repeated actions.

2. Common adverbs of frequency

• Always (100%)

  • Meaning: 100% of the time
  • Example: I always wake up at 7:00.

• Usually

  • Meaning: more than half the time (very common)
  • Example: I usually wake up at 7:00.

• Often

  • Meaning: many times (common)
  • Example: I often wake up at 7:00.

• Sometimes

  • Meaning: on some days / at some times (not always)
  • Example: I sometimes wake up at 7:00.

• Rarely

  • Meaning: not often
  • Example: I rarely wake up at 7:00.

• Hardly ever

  • Meaning: almost never
  • Example: I hardly ever wake up at 7:00.

• Never (0%)

  • Meaning: 0% of the time
  • Example: I never wake up at 7:00.

Frequency order (general guide)

• always → usually → often → sometimes → rarely → hardly ever → never

These are only general meanings; people may use the words differently.

3. Sentence structure

3.1 With the verb "be" (affirmative)

Structure:

Subject → be → adverb → complement

When the main verb is be (am, is, are), place the adverb after the verb:

• I am always happy.
• She is never late.
• They are hardly ever tired.

3.2 With other verbs (affirmative)

Structure:

Subject → adverb → verb → object/rest of sentence

When the main verb is not be, place the adverb before the main verb:

• I always eat breakfast.
• We sometimes watch movies.
• He hardly ever drinks soda.

Sometimes and often can also go at the beginning or end:

• Sometimes I eat breakfast.
• I eat breakfast sometimes.
• Often, we watch movies at home.

Common position:

• before the main verb (I usually eat breakfast).
• Beginning/end: 'sometimes' and 'often' can go at the beginning or end.
• 'Always/usually/never' are usually NOT placed at the end (Avoid: I eat breakfast always.).

3.3 With the verb "be" (Negative)

Structure:

Subject → be → not → adverb → complement

Examples:

• She is not always happy.
• She isn’t always happy.
• They are never late.

3.4 With other verbs

Structure:

Subject → do not/does not → adverb → verb → object/rest

Examples:

• I don’t often eat chocolate.
• She doesn’t always study ahead.

Important:

Do not use 'not' with never/rarely/hardly ever (avoid double negatives).

• Incorrect: I don’t never eat pizza.
• Correct: I never eat pizza.

4. Asking about frequency

4.1 How often…?

We can ask about frequency with How often…?

Question:

• "How often do you study English?"

Answers:

• "I always study English."
• "I usually study English."
• "I sometimes study English."
• "I hardly ever study English."
• "I never study English."

5. Other expressions of frequency

Single-word adverbs (always/usually) usually go before the main verb, but expressions (once a day, every week) usually go at the end.

• Once a day

  • I brush my teeth once a day.

• Twice a week

  • I see my friend twice a week.

• Three times a month

  • I go shopping three times a month.

• Every day

  • I go to school every day.

• Every week

  • We have a meeting every week.