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ADVERBS OF FREQUENCY
by Jho Diaz
Adverbs of frequency are often used to indicate routine or repeated activities, so they are often used with the present simple tense, Adverbs of frequency indicate the frequency of an action. How many times has it happened? How long.
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In affirmative sentences, adverbs of frequency are always placed after the subject and in front of the main verb and the rest of the sentence.
I always remember to do my homework. He normally gets good marks in exams. We sometimes go to the theatre. I always go cycling on Sundays.
- Negative Senteces.
In negative sentences we place the frequency adverb between the auxiliary do not (don´t) or does not (doesn´t) and the main verb.
I don’t always remember to do my homework. He doesn’t normally get good marks in exams. We don’t often go to the theatre. I don’t always go cycling on Sundays.
? Interrogative Sentences.
In interrogative sentences, the adverb of frequency is placed between the subject and the main verb.
Do I always remember to do my homework.? Does He normally get good marks in exams.? Do We often go to the theatre.? Do I always go cycling on Sundays.?
Frequency adverbs with the verb to be
When we want to use a frequency adverb with the verb to be, the sentence has a structure different from the one we have detailed previously.
+ Affirmative Sentences.
In the case of affirmative sentences, the frequency adverb is placed after the verb and the presence of the complement becomes essential.
They are never pleased to see me She is usually bad tempered. Sally is always serious. Carl and Peter are usually angry.
- Negative Sentences.
When the sentence is negative, we simply add the frequency adverb after the verb to be in negative form (‘m not, is not and are not) followed by the complement.
They aren’t never pleased to see me She isn’t usually bad tempered. Sally isn’t always serious. Carl and Peter aren’t usually angry.
? Interrogative Sentences.
In the case of interrogatives, the frequency adverb will be placed between the subject and the complement.
Are They never pleased to see me? Is She usually bad tempered? Is Sally always serious? Are Carl and Peter usually angry?
Occasionally, sometimes, often, frequently and usually can also go at the beginning or end of a sentence:
Sometimes they come and stay with us. He plays tennis occasionally.
Rarely and seldom can also go at the end of a sentence (often with “very”):
We see them rarely. Lucas eats meat very seldom.
Sentences with adverbs of frequency.
I seldom have breakfast. I am never late. Skype is occasionally frustrating. They were always noisy. They always hang out together. The Northern Lights are usually green. You normally see them best in September or March. It’s often cloudy. We sometimes go to the cinema. I sometimes have lunch in a restaurant. Do you always drink milk for breakfast?
Adverbs of Frequency and expressions List
Frequency
100%
90%
80%
70%
50%
30%
Adverb of Frequency
always
usually
normally / generally
often* / frequently
sometimes
occasionally Example Sentence
I always run in the mornings.
I usually take the bus to work
I normally go to the gym.
I often surf the internet.
I sometimes forget my wife’s birthday.
I occasionally eat junk food.
10%
5%
seldom
hardly ever / rarely
I seldom read the newspaper.
I hardly ever drink alcohol.
0%
never
I never swim in the sea.
We can also use the following expressions when we want to be more specific about the frequency:
every day once a month twice a year four times a day every other week daily monthly
I play tennis twice a week.
I play tennis once a week.
Every Monday I have a gym
GRAMMAR WORKSHEET ADVERBS of FREQUENCY
always almost always usually often sometimes seldom rarely hardly ever never 100% 95% 75% 50% 25% 5% 5% 5% 0%
I always watch TV at night. She almost always eats breakfast. Mike usually gets up late. I often exercise in the morning. They sometimes go to Starbucks. I seldom see him. I rarely see him. I hardly ever see him. We never come to class late.
Fill in the blanks below with the best adverbs of frequency (some sentences may have more than one answer).
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My brother is never sad. He’s _______________ happy. I was late for work only one time last year. I’m ___________________ late. rarely Mary failed only one test in high school. She __________________ passed her tests. almost always I always remember to do my homework. I ____________________ forget to do it. never Steven seldom goes to a cinema. He ____________ rarely _________ sees movies. Judy saw a doctor for the first time in three years. She ________________ gets sick. hardly ever I get up at five o’clock seven days a week. I __________________ get up early. always It’s always hot and sunny where I live. That’s why I __________________ see snow. never A: Do you ever drink coffee? B: Yes, but only ________________, not often. Just a sometimes few times a week.
My sister almost never eats burgers and fries. She _______________ eats healthy always foods.
I _______________ take a bus to class, maybe three or four days a week. some times
12.
A: Do you ever watch action movies? B: No, never. Well, I watched an action movie a few years ago, so I guess should say _______________. hardly ever
