A2Adverbs

Adverbs of Frequency

What is it?

Adverbs of frequency tell us HOW OFTEN something happens. The most common are: always (100%), usually (80-90%), often (60-70%), sometimes (40-50%), rarely/seldom (10-20%), and never (0%). These adverbs have specific positions in sentences: they go BEFORE the main verb but AFTER the verb 'to be'. Understanding their placement is crucial for natural English.

How to form it

Subject	Positive	Negative	Question
Always (100%)	I always wake up early	I don't always wake up early	Do you always wake up early?
Usually (80-90%)	She usually drinks coffee	She doesn't usually drink coffee	Does she usually drink coffee?
Often (60-70%)	They often go swimming	They don't often go swimming	Do they often go swimming?
Sometimes (40-50%)	We sometimes eat out	We don't sometimes eat out	Do you sometimes eat out?
Rarely (10-20%)	He rarely watches TV	He doesn't rarely watch TV	Does he rarely watch TV?
Never (0%)	I never smoke	I don't never smoke (incorrect)	Do you never smoke?

• Position with main verbs: subject + adverb + main verb → I always study
• Position with 'be': subject + be + adverb → She is always late
• Position in questions: auxiliary + subject + adverb + verb → Do you often travel?
• Never: already negative, don't use with 'don't' → I never smoke (NOT: I don't never smoke)
• Sometimes: can also go at the beginning or end → Sometimes I walk. / I walk sometimes.
• Usually: can also go at the beginning → Usually, I wake up at 7.
• Percentage scale: always > usually > often > sometimes > rarely/seldom > never

When to use it

1
Before main verbs — place frequency adverbs before the main verb
"I always wake up early." / "She usually drinks coffee." / "They often travel."
2
After verb "to be" — place frequency adverbs after forms of be
"He is always late." / "We are usually tired." / "They are never rude."
3
Never with negatives — "never" is already negative, don't use with "don't"
"I never smoke." (NOT: I don't never smoke.) / "She never lies." (NOT: She doesn't never lie.)
4
Sometimes flexibility — can go at beginning, middle, or end
"Sometimes I walk to work." / "I sometimes walk to work." / "I walk to work sometimes."
5
Questions placement — after the subject in questions
"Do you always wake up early?" / "Is she usually late?" / "Have you ever been there?"

Common mistakes

I don't never smoke.

I never smoke.

'Never' is already negative. Don't use it with 'don't'.

She always is late.

She is always late.

With 'be' verbs, the adverb comes AFTER the verb, not before.

I go always to the gym.

I always go to the gym.

The adverb comes BEFORE the main verb, not after.

Do always you wake up early?

Do you always wake up early?

In questions, the adverb comes after the subject.

Quick reference

Frequency scale: always > usually > often > sometimes > rarely > never
Position with main verbs: BEFORE the verb (I always study)
Position with 'be': AFTER the verb (She is always late)
Never: don't use with 'don't' (I never smoke, NOT: I don't never smoke)
Sometimes: can go at beginning, middle, or end
Questions: place after subject (Do you always...?)
Common mistake: Don't put after main verbs (I always go, NOT: I go always)

Natural conversation example

Roommates discussing their daily habits

Lisa

Do you always wake up this early?

Tom

Usually, yes. I'm rarely in bed after 7 AM.

Lisa

Wow! I'm never up before 8. I'm always tired in the morning.

Tom

Do you often stay up late?

Lisa

Sometimes. I usually go to bed around midnight.

Tom

That's why you're always sleepy! You should sleep earlier.

Practice Exercises

Place the adverb in the correct position.

1.
I wake up early. (always)
2.
She is late. (never)
3.
They go swimming. (often)
4.
We are tired on Mondays. (usually)
5.
He drinks coffee. (rarely)
6.
, I walk to work. (sometimes)

Adverbs (overview)All Topics Adverbs of Manner

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