english4theworld learners' centre grammar reference

 

ADVERBS OF FREQUENCY

 

FORM

The following are the most common adverbs of frequency:

USE

We use adverbs of frequency to talk about how often we do something.

 

POSITION

There are three possible positions in a sentence we can use for adverbs of frequency:

Position 1 At the beginning of a sentence.

Imperatives beginning with never, always and ever can be used this position.
Some adverbs of frequency (sometimes, often, usually, occasionally, frequently, generally, normally) can be used in this position.

Examples:

  • Never walk home alone at night.
  • Always do your best.
  • Don't ever speak to me like that again.
  • Sometimes it rains for months in Africa.
  • Normally I wake up late.

Position 2 In the 'middle' of a sentence.

All adverbs of frequency (but not ever) can be used in this position immediately after modal auxiliary verbs (can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must, ought).

Examples:

  • You should never leave a baby alone.
  • We could always have come a little later.
  • The bus will normally come on time.

All adverbs of frequency can be used in this position immediately after the first auxiliary verb (to be, to do and to have) in a sentence.

Examples:

  • I’m usually working at weekends.
  • He’s constantly coming to work late.
  • Dogs don't normally like fish.
  • I didn't always smoke so much.
  • Have you ever ridden a camel?
  • They've never enjoyed parties very much.
  • John had generally been a good team player.

Between the subject and the main verb in simple tenses.

Examples:

  • I never said I loved you.
  • People often say things they don't mean.
  • We usually go for a walk after lunch.
  • You sometimes walked to work, didn’t you?

Position 3 At the end of a sentence.

We often place some adverbs of frequency (constantly, continually, frequently, generally, normally, occasionally, often, rarely, regularly, seldom, sometimes, usually) in this position.

Examples:

  • It rains for months in Africa sometimes.
  • I wake up late usually.
  • I visit him quite often.
  • I go riding occasionally.

Adverbial phrases of frequency

A number of phrases which express frequency (again and again, time and again, a few times (a week/month etc), from time to time, now and again, now and then) can be used either at the beginning or the end of a sentence.

Examples:

  • From time to time I see him in the street.
  • I see him in the street from time to time.
  • A few times a year we visit my parents in London.
  • We visit my parents in London a few times a year.
  • Now and then I like a glass of wine with a meal.
  • I like a glass of wine with a meal now and then.

 

Inversion

The adverbs of frequency hardly ever, never, rarely and seldom are not used with negative verb forms. Also, if you begin a sentence with these adverbs, you must invert the position of the subject and the verb.

Examples:

  • Hardly ever would she make me breakfast.
  • Never have I lied to you!
  • Rarely can people survive in such conditions.
  • Seldom does he drink.

 

 

 

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