Adverbs of Frequency: Definition, Rules and Helpful Examples

 

Adverbs of Frequency! If you are looking to talk about how often something happens, then you will need to employ the use of an adverb of frequency. These can let the listener or reader know that an event takes places weekly, hourly, monthly and a variety of other adverbs of frequency.

Knowing adverbs of frequency is a great way to be able to further explain a situation within your conversation, as well as adding a whole host of new words to your vocabulary. In this section, we are going to be looking at the different adverbs of frequency as well as how they fir into a sentence.

Learn how to use frequency adverbs in sentences with useful grammar rules and examples.

What Are Adverbs of Frequency?

Adverbs of frequency tell us how often something takes place or happens.

There are lots of them. Here are some examples:

– Always: He is always ready to take on heavy responsibilities.

– Usually: We usually go to restaurant on Sundays.

– Regularly: I communicate with him regularly by letter.

– Normally: I don’t normally take my holiday in midsummer.

– Often: They often went carolling at Christmas.

– Sometimes: Sometimes, I just need someone to talk to.

– Occasionally: Occasionally Alice would look up from her books.

– Rarely: Rarely have I seen such a scene.

– Seldom: Opportunity seldom knocks twice.

– Never: He never turned up.

…

Position of Frequency Adverbs

We often place adverbs of frequency in these adverb positions.

Rule 1

Most adverbs come before the verb.

Examples:

I sometimes watch Chinese films.

She never eats vegetables.

I always read comic books.

They rarely watch music channels.

Rule 2

Use adverbs of frequency after these five forms of be: am, is, are, was, were.

Examples:

I am always worried about my study result.

She is usually very happy.

She is always cooking spaghetti.

You are seldom anxious about my health.

Rule 3

When a verb has a helping verb, the adverb goes after the first part of the verb.

Examples:

Drivers should always wear a seat belt.

Richard doesn’t usually smoke.

Rule 4

Sometimes we use frequency adverbs at the beginning of the sentence.

Examples:

Always wash your hands before the meal!

Often he walked.

Sometimes I go skating.

Rule 5

Sometimes we use frequency adverbs at the end of the sentence.

Examples:

We read books occasionally.

They like to watch TV often.

We go to school by bike sometimes.