Adverbs of Frequency

Adverbs of frequency tell us how often something happens. They are also used to indicate routine or repeated activities.

I always do my homework

These adverbs are usually placed before the main verb but after auxiliary verbs (such as to have, may, must).

Our company frequently has brunches with potential clients
You should always wait for the green light to cross the road

The only exception is when the main verb is to be, in which case the adverb goes after the main verb.

We are usually optimistic

Here are the most common adverbs of frequency:

Frequency	Adverb of Frequency	Example
100%	always	She always* helps her mom with dinner.*
90%	usually	We usually* go out on Fridays.*
80%	normally/generally	Shaun normally* eats breakfast at 8 a.m.*
70%	often/frequently	They often* go to their parents at weekends.*
50%	sometimes	Peter sometimes* forgets his kids` birthdays.*
30%	occasionally	I occasionally* eat vegetarian food.*
10%	seldom	We seldom* go on vacation together.*
5%	hardly ever/rarely	Meredith hardly ever* drinks coffee.*
0%	never	They never* eat junk food.*

We can also use the following expressions when we want to be more specific about frequency: every day, once a month, twice a year, three times a day, every other week, daily, monthly, annually etc.

I usually eat pizza once a month

If you need to use more than one adverb of time in a sentence, use them in the following order: (1) how long, (2) how often, (3) when.

Peter worked at the mall for 4 days every week last year

Guided Practice

Use adverbs of frequency to show how often something happens or to indicate routine or repeated activities.

(I/to invite/sometimes/my friends/over)

The most common adverbs of frequency are always, usually, normally, generally, often, frequently, sometimes, occasionally, seldom, hardly ever, rarely, never.

(We/to go/on Wednesdays/occasianally/to the pub)
(She/to go/in the morning/to the gym/often)

Place adverbs before the main verb but after auxiliary verbs. If there is a verb to be, then the adverb goes after the main verb.

(Michael/first/to call Ann/usually)
(My mom/with us/never/to be angry)

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, three times a day etc.

(I/to eat/once a month/pizza/usually)

If you need to use more than one adverb of time in a sentence, use them in the following order: 1. how long, 2. how often, 3. when.

(Kate/to work/daily/last month/for 10 hours)

Short Story using Adverbs of Frequency

–Maggie, you look fantastic!

–Thank you, Liz!

–Have you been working out?

–Yeah! Actually, I usually work out every other day. I think it helps me to always stay in shape. Plus I've noticed that my mood has got better too.

–And do you have a special diet?

-Honestly, no. But I try to eat healthy every day. Of course I can have pizza once in a while but it doesn't happen that often.

Independent Practice

Fill in the gaps.

twice a year · annually · occasionally · every other day · seldom

Pam .................... orders food online.
Nina .................... drinks alcohol. She doesn't like the taste of it.
I have exams at uni .................... .
Birthdays are celebrated .................... .
Sam goes to the gym .................... . He is too lazy to do it daily.

Restore the word order in the following sentences.

(I/late/to get up/often/on Saturdays).
(how often/to travel/you)?
(when/usually/to go on vacation/you)?
(Samantha/for work/never/to be late).
(he/three times a day/not to take a shower).

Adverbs of Frequency

Guided Practice

Short Story using Adverbs of Frequency

Independent Practice

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