Adverbs of Frequency (A2)

Elementary (A2)en

Adverbs of frequency

Adverbs of Frequency (Extended)

1. What You Already Know
Adverbs of frequency tell us how often something happens. Examples: always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, hardly ever, never.

2. Using Frequency Adverbs in Longer Sentences
Frequency adverbs can be used in sentences with more information:

“I usually have breakfast at home before I go to school.”
“She rarely goes to the cinema because she is busy.”

Rules:

With be (am/is/are) → put the adverb after the verb:

Correct: “He is always polite.”

With other verbs → put the adverb before the verb:

Correct: “He always behaves politely.”

4. Negative Sentences
Some adverbs already show negativity: hardly ever, rarely, never. Do not use “not” with these.

Hardly ever → “I hardly ever eat chocolate because I don’t like it.”

Rarely → “She rarely goes to the cinema on weekdays.”

Never → “They never forget to do their homework.”

5. Questions
Ask about habits using frequency adverbs:
Structure
Do / Does + subject + adverb + main verb + …?

“Do you often play football?”
“Does she sometimes watch TV?”

Practice Exercises

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Adverbs of frequency

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Adverbs of frequency

Adverbs of Frequency

19 words

always

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.

never

adverb

At no time in the past or future; not ever.

I have never been to Paris.

rarely

adverb

Not occurring often; infrequently.

I rarely eat out at restaurants.

seldom

adverb

Not often; infrequently.

I seldom go to the cinema.

every day

phrase

Each day; on a daily basis.

I go for a run every day to stay fit.

once a week

phrase

An expression indicating that something happens one time every week.

I go to the gym once a week to stay fit.

twice a month

phrase

An expression indicating an action occurs two times within a month.

I go to the gym twice a month to stay fit.

three times a year

phrase

An expression indicating that something happens three times within a year.

We meet three times a year to discuss our progress.

hardly ever

at times

phrase

Occasionally; sometimes

At times, I feel lonely in a crowd.

frequently

adverb

Happening often or many times

She frequently visits her grandmother.

daily

adjective

Occurring every day; happening each day.

I have a daily routine that helps me stay organized.

weekly

adjective

Happening once a week.

I have a weekly meeting every Monday.

monthly

adjective

Occurring or appearing once a month.

I have a monthly subscription to the magazine.

occasionally

adverb

At infrequent or irregular intervals; from time to time.

I occasionally go for a walk in the park.

most of the time

phrase

Generally or usually; the majority of the time.

I eat breakfast at home most of the time.

some of the time

phrase

Occasionally or sometimes, but not always.

I like to go for a walk some of the time when the weather is nice.