Frequency Adverbs

When we want to say how often something happens, it is common to use frequency adverbs.

It is possible to use them when referring to the past, present or future, as in the following examples: We often went camping when we were children. I usually go to the gym at lunchtime. I will always love you.

The most common frequency adverbs are given below: Always Usually Frequently Often Sometimes Occasionally Rarely Seldom Hardly ever Never

How about and ? normally regularly And generally?

I always brush my teeth before I go to bed. (=every night) I usually have toast for breakfast. (=happens most days) I frequently watch the news before dinner. (=it's common) I often go to the park with my dog. (=many times)I sometimes see him down at the shops. (=at particular occasions but not all the time) I occasionally visit the capital. (=not happening often or regularly) I rarely smoke cigars. (=it is not common) I seldom have a chance to go to the theatre. (=almost never) I hardly ever travel abroad. (=almost never) I never work on the weekend. (=not at any time or not on any occasion)

Adverbs of frequency can occupy different positions in the sentence.

With most verbs, the normal position is between the subject and the verb (mid-position). However, sometimes these adverbs can go into initial positions in order to have more emphasis.I usually arrive at school before 8 o’clock.Usually I arrive at school before 8 o’clock.

With the verb "to be", the adverb normally comes after the verb:

Pedro occasionally visits us on Sundays. She is often ill in winter.

Position of Frequency Adverbs

I always tell him to stay away from those people.?Always I tell him to stay away from those people.?Always stay away from those people.?I tell him to stay away from those people always.

I sometimes heard him playing in the room next door. ?Sometimes I heard him playing in the room next door. ?I heard him playing in the room next door sometimes.?I sometimes don’t hear him playing in the room next door.

?He has worked hard. (never)?He has been working hard. (never)

Conclusions

• Frequency adverbs denote how often something happens.

• These adverbs can go into different positions of a sentence, namely, initial position, mid-position and end-position.

• Yet, some of them cannot go into initial position, like “always”; some of them cannot go into end-position, either, like “always” and “never”.

• When a verb has several parts, the most common position is after the first auxiliary verb (has never been…)

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wake up

wash your face

take a shower

dry your hair

brush your hair

get dressed

go to school

eat breakfast

brush your teeth

go to the bathroom

make your bed

study

eat lunch

go home

do homework

eat dinner

take a bath

go to bed

For practice

• http://esl.lbcc.cc.ca.us/eesllessons/adverbfreq/adfreqz.htm