What are adverbs of frequency in English?

Adverbs of frequency tell us how often something happens. They answer the question 'How often?' Common examples include always (100%), usually (90%), often (70%), sometimes (50%), rarely/occasionally/once in a while (10-20%), hardly ever (5%), and never (0%). They are placed before the main verb but after the verb 'to be.'

What is the correct position for adverbs of frequency?

In most cases, adverbs of frequency go before the main verb: 'She always arrives on time.' However, they come after the verb 'to be': 'He is never late.' In questions, they go after the subject: 'Do you always eat breakfast?' With auxiliary verbs, they go between the auxiliary and main verb: 'I have never been to Japan.'

Can I use two adverbs of frequency in one sentence?

Avoid using two adverbs of frequency in the same clause. 'I always usually drink coffee' is incorrect. You can use frequency phrases like 'most of the time' or 'every now and then' with single adverbs: 'I usually drink coffee, but sometimes I have tea.'

What is the difference between 'sometimes' and 'occasionally'?

'Sometimes' means roughly 50% of the time. It is neutral and common. 'Occasionally' means less often, about 20-30% of the time, and suggests irregular events. 'I sometimes watch TV' (regular but not daily). 'I occasionally watch horror movies' (rarely, not my usual choice).

How do I use adverbs of frequency in questions?

In questions, the adverb of frequency goes after the subject. 'Do you often travel?' (not 'Do often you travel?') 'Is she always late?' 'Have you ever been to London?' For negative questions: 'Don't you ever get tired?'

Can adverbs of frequency go at the beginning of a sentence?

Some adverbs of frequency can start a sentence for emphasis. 'Sometimes I wonder about the future.' 'Usually, we eat dinner at seven.' 'Often, people forget to lock the door.' 'Always' and 'never' rarely start sentences. 'Rarely' and 'seldom' can start sentences but require inverted word order: 'Rarely do we see such talent.'

Adverbs of Frequency: Rules, Examples, and Exercises

Grammar Guide - Updated June 2026

Learn how to use always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, and never correctly. Clear rules, example sentences, common mistakes, and practice exercises for B1-B2 learners.

What Are Adverbs of Frequency?

Adverbs of frequency tell us how often something happens. They answer the question "How often do you do something?" They are essential for describing habits, routines, and regular actions in English.

Simple examples:

I always brush my teeth before bed. (100%)
She usually takes the bus to work. (90%)
They sometimes eat out on weekends. (50%)
He never drinks coffee. (0%)

Adverbs of Frequency: Quick Reference

Adverb	Approximate Frequency	Example
always	100%	Summer always follows spring.
usually	90%	I usually wake up at 7am.
normally	85%	We normally have lunch at noon.
generally	80%	I generally agree with her.
often	70%	They often visit their grandparents.
frequently	70%	He frequently travels for work.
sometimes	50%	She sometimes works on weekends.
occasionally	30%	We occasionally go to the theatre.
rarely	10%	I rarely eat fast food.
seldom	10%	He seldom complains.
hardly ever	5%	They hardly ever watch TV.
never	0%	I never smoke cigarettes.

Correct Position in Sentences

Where you place the adverb of frequency depends on the type of verb in the sentence.

Rule 1: Before the main verb

For most verbs, place the adverb of frequency directly before the main verb.

I always have breakfast.

She usually arrives early.

They sometimes visit us.

He never eats meat.

Rule 2: After the verb "to be"

When the verb is a form of "be" (am, is, are, was, were), the adverb goes after it.

He is always happy.

They are usually on time.

She is rarely late.

I am never bored.

Rule 3: Between auxiliary and main verb

When there is an auxiliary verb (have, will, can, must, etc.), the adverb goes between the auxiliary and the main verb.

I have always lived here.

She will always remember you.

They can often help you.

You must never do that.

Questions and Negatives

In Questions

The adverb goes after the subject.

Do you often travel?

Is she always late?

Have you ever been to Japan?

Does he usually work late?

In Negatives

Place the adverb before the main verb after "don't/doesn't/didn't."

I don't often eat out.

She doesn't usually arrive late.

They don't always agree.

He didn't ever call me back.

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7 Common Mistakes

1. Wrong position with 'to be'

Wrong: He always is happy.

Right: He is always happy.

2. Position in questions

Wrong: Do always you eat breakfast?

Right: Do you always eat breakfast?

3. Using 'never' with 'not'

Wrong: I don't never smoke.

Right: I never smoke.

4. Using 'ever' in statements

Wrong: I ever go to the gym.

Right: I often / sometimes / never go to the gym.

5. Double adverbs

Wrong: I always usually drink coffee.

Right: I usually drink coffee.

6. Wrong position with 'hardly ever'

Wrong: I go hardly ever to the cinema.

Right: I hardly ever go to the cinema.

7. Confusing 'usually' and 'used to'

Wrong: I usually live in London (but now I don't).

Right: I used to live in London.

'Usually' describes a current habit. 'Used to' describes a past habit.

Adverbial Phrases of Frequency

These longer phrases also describe frequency. They usually go at the beginning or end of a sentence.

Phrase	Meaning	Example
every day / every week	daily / weekly	I exercise every day.
once a week / twice a month	one time or two times per period	We meet once a week.
three times a year	three times per period	He travels three times a year.
most of the time	usually	Most of the time, she studies at home.
from time to time	occasionally	We go camping from time to time.
every now and then	sometimes	I eat fast food every now and then.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Put the adverb in the correct position

I eat breakfast. (always) I always eat breakfast.
She is late. (never) She is never late.
They visit us. (sometimes) They sometimes visit us.
He has been to Paris. (never) He has never been to Paris.
We go to bed early. (usually) We usually go to bed early.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct option

She __________ gets up early. (always / is always) always
He __________ late. (is never / never is) is never
Do you __________ go to the gym? (always / do always) always
I have __________ been to Italy. (never / ever) never
They __________ together. (usually work / work usually) usually work

Exercise 3: Correct the mistakes

She always is happy. She is always happy.
I don't never smoke. I never smoke.
Do always you travel? Do you always travel?
I go rarely to the cinema. I rarely go to the cinema.
He ever visits us. He never / sometimes visits us.

Exercise 4: Frequency phrase placement

I brush my teeth (every day). I brush my teeth every day.
(Once a week), I take a yoga class. Once a week, I take a yoga class. / I take a yoga class once a week.
(Most of the time), we stay home. Most of the time, we stay home.
(Every now and then), I call my parents. Every now and then, I call my parents.
(From time to time), she visits us. From time to time, she visits us. / She visits us from time to time.

Exercise 5: Complete the sentences

I __________ drink coffee in the morning. (100%) always
She __________ eats meat. (0%) never
They __________ visit their grandparents on Sundays. (90%) usually
He __________ goes to the gym. (70%) often
We __________ eat fast food. (10%) rarely

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