What Are Adverbs of Frequency?

Adverbs of frequency tell us how often an action happens. They help us talk about routines, habits, and how regularly we do things.

Think of them as answering the question How often…?

Here are the most common adverbs of frequency, from 100% to 0%:

• always (100% of the time)
• usually (about 90% of the time)
• often (about 70% of the time)
• sometimes (about 50% of the time)
• hardly ever (about 10% of the time)
• never (0% of the time)

Where Do Adverbs of Frequency Go in a Sentence?

The position of adverbs of frequency is very important. There are two main rules to remember:

Rule 1: Before the Main Verb

• Most adverbs of frequency go before the main verb in a sentence.
• Example: I often read books. (Not: I read often books.)

Rule 2: After the Verb "To Be"

• When the verb is to be (am, is, are), the adverb of frequency goes after it.
• Example: She is always happy. (Not: She always is happy.)

Special Case: "Sometimes"

• The adverb sometimes is more flexible. It can go before the main verb, after the verb to be, or even at the beginning or end of a sentence.
• Examples: I sometimes eat pizza. / Sometimes, I eat pizza. / I eat pizza sometimes.

Using Adverbs of Frequency with Questions and Negatives

We can also use adverbs of frequency in questions and negative sentences.

In Questions

• The adverb usually goes before the main verb, just like in positive sentences.
• Example: Do you often go to the park?
• With to be: Is he always late?

In Negative Sentences

• The adverb goes before the main verb, after don't/doesn't.
• Example: I don't usually watch TV.
• With to be: They aren't always quiet.
• Remember, never already makes a sentence negative, so do not use not with it. For example, I never eat meat. (Not: I don't never eat meat.)

Examples

• My sister always wakes up early.
• We usually have lunch at 1 PM.
• He often plays football on Saturdays.
• They sometimes visit their grandparents.
• I hardly ever drink soda.
• She never eats fish.
• Are you always busy?
• My cat is usually sleeping.
• We don't often go to the cinema.

Practice

Common mistakes for Spanish speakers

Spanish speakers sometimes make these mistakes:

Incorrect Position (like in Spanish)

• ❌ I drink always coffee.
• ✅ I always drink coffee.
• Explanation: In Spanish, the adverb can often go after the verb (e.g., Yo bebo siempre café). In English, it usually goes before the main verb.

Incorrect Position with "To Be"

• ❌ She always is happy.
• ✅ She is always happy.
• Explanation: Remember, with the verb to be (am, is, are), the adverb comes after the verb.

Using "Not" with "Never"

• ❌ I don't never eat meat.
• ✅ I never eat meat.
• Explanation: Never already means "not ever," so you only need one negative word.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common adverbs of frequency?

The most common ones are always, usually, often, sometimes, hardly ever, and never.

Can I put "sometimes" at the beginning or end of a sentence?

Yes, sometimes is flexible. You can say Sometimes I read, I sometimes read, or I read sometimes.

Where do adverbs of frequency go with the verb "to be"?

With the verb to be (am, is, are), the adverb of frequency goes after the verb. For example, He is always on time.

How are adverbs of frequency used in the A2 Key (KET) exam?

In the A2 Key exam, you might need to use adverbs of frequency correctly in writing tasks, like describing your daily routine or habits. You may also hear them in listening tasks or read them in texts.

Related lessons

• Adverbs of frequency