Frequency adverbs are words that describe how often an action occurs. They help you talk about routines, habits, and schedules by indicating the frequency of an activity.
Common Frequency Adverbs
These are the most common frequency adverbs in English, listed from most frequent to least frequent:
| Frequency | Adverbs | Example |
|---|---|---|
| % | always | She always eats breakfast. |
| ~90% | usually | We usually go to bed at 10 p.m. |
| ~70% | often | He often visits his grandparents. |
| ~50% | sometimes | I sometimes take the bus. |
| ~30% | occasionally | They occasionally dine out. |
| ~10% | rarely | She rarely drinks coffee. |
| ~0% | never | He never smokes. |
Placement Rules
- Before the Main Verb: For most verbs (except to be), place the adverb before the main verb.
- Example: She always arrives early.
- After the Verb "to be": If the main verb is to be, place the adverb after it.
- Example: He is usually on time.
- With Auxiliary Verbs: Place the adverb after the first auxiliary verb.
- Example: They have never traveled abroad.
- With Modal Verbs: Place the adverb after the modal verb.
- Example: She can rarely be found at home.
Where do you place frequency adverbs when the main verb is "to be"?
After the verb "to be"
When the main verb is "to be," place the frequency adverb immediately after it (e.g., He is **usually** on time).
Examples
| Adverb | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| always | I always check my email in the morning. |
| usually | We usually eat dinner at 7 p.m. |
| often | He often goes jogging after work. |
| sometimes | She sometimes reads before sleeping. |
| occasionally | They occasionally visit museums on weekends. |
| rarely | I rarely watch TV during the week. |
| never | He never forgets his keys. |
Complete the sentence: "He ___ goes jogging after work."
often
"Often" means frequent but not constant, fitting a common after-work activity.
Tips
- Frequency adverbs are not used with question words like when or why (e.g., "Why are you sometimes late?").
- You can add "at all" after rarely and never to emphasize zero frequency (e.g., "I rarely eat out at all").
- Avoid using two frequency adverbs in the same clause (e.g., "She always never..." is incorrect).
Is it correct to use two frequency adverbs in the same clause?
No, using two frequency adverbs in the same clause is incorrect.
Avoid using two frequency adverbs in the same clause (e.g., "She always never..." is incorrect).
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
