Adverbs of Frequency
Beginner (A1)en
Adverbs of frequency (always, usually, sometimes)
Adverbs of Frequency
1. What Are Adverbs of Frequency?
Adverbs of frequency are words that describe a verb, giving us more information about how often an action happens.
They answer the question: “How often?”
Examples:
- How often do you drink coffee? (sometimes)
- How often do you read? (never)
Using adverbs of frequency allows you to talk about your habits, routines, and repeated actions.
2. Adverbs of Frequency
Always
- Meaning: 100% of the time
- Example: “I always wake up at 7:00.“
Usually
- Meaning: most of the time
- Example: “I usually wake up at 7:00.“
Often
- Meaning: many times
- Example: “I often wake up at 7:00.“
Sometimes
- Meaning: not always / not never
- 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
- Meaning: 0% of the time
- Example: “I never wake up at 7:00.“
Frequency Order (approximate):
always → usually → often → sometimes → rarely → hardly ever → never
always → usually → often → sometimes → rarely → hardly ever → never
3. Sentence Structure
3.1 With the Verb “to be”
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.”
Structure:
Subject → be → adverb → (rest of sentence)
3.2 With Other Verbs
When the main verb is not “be”, place the adverb before the main verb:
- “I always eat breakfast.”
- “She often goes to the park.”
- “We sometimes watch movies.”
- “He hardly ever drinks soda.”
Structure:
Subject → adverb → verb → (object/rest of the sentence)
3.3 With the Verb “have” (possession)
- “I usually have lunch at school.”
- “They hardly ever have time to relax.”
Rule: Follows the same structure as other main verbs.
Subject → adverb → verb → (object/rest of the sentence)
Subject → adverb → verb → (object/rest of the sentence)
3.4 Negative Sentences
When making negative sentences, use not after the auxiliary verb (do/does) or be, keeping the adverb in its usual position:
With “be”:
- “She is not always happy. / She's not always happy. / She isn't always happy.”
- “They are never late. / They're never late.”
With other verbs:
- “I do not often eat chocolate.”
- “He does not hardly ever watch TV.” (Incorrect – see note below)
Correct: “He hardly ever watches TV.”
Note: Some adverbs like seldom, rarely, hardly ever and never already imply negativity, so we do not use “not” with them.
4. Short Answers Using Adverbs of Frequency
Question: “Do you often study English?”
Answer:
“Yes, I do.”
“No, I don’t.”
You can also answer with the adverb:
Answer:
“Yes, I do.”
“No, I don’t.”
You can also answer with the adverb:
“Yes, I always study English.”
“No, I hardly ever study English.”
“No, I hardly ever study English.”
5. Asking Questions with Adverbs of Frequency
Use Do/Does to form questions:
- “Do you often play football?”
- “Does she sometimes watch TV?”
- “Do they hardly ever eat fast food?”
Structure:
Do/Does → subject → adverb → main verb → …?
6. Other Expressions of Frequency
Besides single-word adverbs, we can use longer expressions to talk about frequency. These usually go at the end of the sentence:
For example: (e.g. every day, once a week, twice a month, in the morning, at night)
For example: (e.g. every day, once a week, twice a month, in the morning, at night)
Once a day
- Example: ”I brush my teeth once a day.”
Twice a week
- Example: ” I see my friend twice a week.”
Three times a month
- Example: ”I visit the library three times a month.”
Every day
- Example: ”I go to school every day.”
Every week
- Example: ”We have a meeting every week.”
Practice Exercises
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Adverbs of frequency (always, usually, sometimes)
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Related Vocabulary
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Adverbs of frequency (always, usually, sometimes)
A1Adverbs of frequency
7 wordsalways
adverb
At all times; on every occasion.
I always drink coffee in the morning.
usually
often
adverb
At frequent intervals; many times.
I often go for a walk in the evening.
sometimes
adverb
On some occasions; not always.
Sometimes I go for a walk in the park.
rarely
adverb
Not occurring often; infrequently.
I rarely eat out at restaurants.
hardly ever
never
adverb
At no time in the past or future; not ever.
I have never been to Paris.