ADVERBS OF FREQUENCY

Adverbs of Frequency

Adverbs of Frequency tell us "How often" or "How frequently" we do something or something happens.

In terms of frequency, the adverbs used are:

100%-51% 50%-21% 20%-0%

Always Often Infrequently

Constantly Frequently Seldom

Normally Occasionally Rarely

Generally Sometimes Hardly ever

Usually

Repeatedly

Adverbs of frequency normally come before the main verb except when the main verb is "to be" when they come after the present and past forms of the verb (am, are, is, was, were). In the case of tenses that use an auxiliary verb (have, has, had, (is and are + -ing), can, could, would, will, etc) we put the adverb between the auxiliary and the main verb.

• We usually go shopping on Saturday.
• I have often done that.
• She was never on time.
• I can hardly ever sleep during the day.
• They are always arguing.

Occasionally, sometimes, regularly, often, frequently and usually can also go at the beginning or end of a sentence:

• Sometimes they look after our dog for us.
• I play basketball occasionally.

Rarely and seldom can also go at the end of a sentence (often with "very"):

• We go to the cinema rarely.
• Francis eats fish very seldom.

The following tables show the possible positions of adverbs of frequency in affirmative, negative, interrogative, and imperative sentences

Affirmative Sentences
Subject	Auxiliary	Adv. of Frequency	Main Verb	Rest of the sentence
The mosquitos		usually	bite	after dark.
I		sometimes	have	problems speaking English.
John		often	went	to the beach for the summer.
Patricia	has	never	been	to the United States.
Bob	has	always	wanted	to own motorbike.
I	will	always	be	available if you need me.

Affirmative Sentences with the verb be
Subject	BE	Adv. of Frequency	Rest of the sentence
The train	is	usually	full at this time of day.
Some people	are	never	happy.

Negative Sentences
Subject	Auxiliary	Adv. of Frequency	Main Verb	Rest of the sentence
Sheila	doesn't	usually	have	breakfast.
It	doesn't	often	rain	here during the summer.
I	don't	ever	read	on the toilet!

Negative Sentences with the verb be
Subject	BE + not	Adv. of Frequency	Predicate
Coats	aren't	usually	necessary in Brazil.
Graham	isn't	often	late for work.

Interrogative Sentences
Auxiliary	Subject	Adv. of Frequency	Main Verb	Rest of the sentence
Does	Emily	usually	have	Lunch at home?
Do	you	always	read	In bed?
Did	Clare	ever	play	the violin?
Don't	you	ever	shut up?

Interrogative Sentences with the verb be
BE	Subject	Adv. of Frequency	Rest of the sentence
Are	you	always	grumpy in the morning?
Isn't	Tom	normally	here by six o'clock?

Imperative Sentences
Adv. of Frequency	Verb	Rest of the sentence
Always	eat	your greens!
Never	cross	the road without looking!
Always	be	kind to others!

Possibilities for the use of Adverbs of Frequency.
Adv. of Frequency	Affirmative	Negative		Interrogative	Imperative
Always	X	X	X		X
Usually/ Constantly/ Normally/ Generally / Regularly/ Routinely/ Repeatedly/ Often / Frequently	X	X	X
sometimes/ occasionally	X		X
rarely/seldom/hardly ever/scarcely ever/ scarcely/ infrequently	X
never	X				X
ever		X	X

Exercises:

1. Put the adverb of frequency in the correct position in the following sentences:

1) He goes to the cinema. (often)............................................................................

2) They play tennis on Sundays. (sometimes)..........................................................

3) Peter does his homework. (never)......................................................................

4) Tamzin is very busy. (usually)..............................................................................

5) I don’t put sugar in my coffee. (ever)...................................................................

6) Ramon and Francisco are fighting over girls. (often).............................................

7) My mother goes for a walk in the afternoon. (always).........................................

2. Ask the following questions using the adverbs of frequency.

1. Do you go to the cinema at the weekends? (usually)

2. Do you feel tired at work? (sometimes)

3. Have you been to Disneyland? (ever)

4. Do you watch television? (often)

5. Can you do crosswords? (normally)

6. Is the weather good in July? (always)

7. Has he wanted to be a fireman? (ever)

8. Does she go to the hairdressers? (regularly)

3. Put the following sentences into the correct order.

1. never I am late for work ......................................................................

2. brother always his can come to help....................................................

3. We the share rarely housework............................................................

4. often you go out the evening the do in ?..............................................

5. do to the gym you how often go ?........................................................

6. weekend always do at go you fishing the ?...........................................

7. after school usually do my I homework ...............................................

8. is with being stupid friends always he his ............................................

9. political ask we questions never ..........................................................

10. Is often angry she ?..............................................................................