Adverbs of Frequency
How often do you exercise? Is it every day? Sometimes? Or never at all? To answer the question How often, we use Adverbs of Frequency.
The Frequency Scale
These adverbs are very unique because they can be measured on a percentage scale (roughly) from 100% (always) to 0% (never).
Here is a list of the most commonly used Adverbs of Frequency, ordered from most frequent to never:
| Adverb | Meaning | Estimate | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always | 100% of the time | 100% | I always wake up at 6 AM. |
| Usually | Most of the time | 90% | I usually walk to work. |
| Normally / Generally | In normal situations | 80% | I normally get good grades. |
| Often / Frequently | Many times | 70% | I often read in bed at night. |
| Sometimes | On some occasions | 50% | I sometimes sing in the shower. |
| Occasionally | Now and then | 30% | I occasionally go to bed late. |
| Seldom | Not often | 10% | I seldom add salt to my food. |
| Hardly ever / Rarely | Almost never | 5% | I hardly ever get angry. |
| Never | At no time | 0% | Vegetarians never eat meat. |
Position in a Sentence
Unlike adverbs of manner, place, and time which are generally placed at the end of a sentence, Adverbs of Frequency are placed in the MIDDLE of a sentence.
However, the exact rule depends on the type of verb present in the sentence:
1. If the sentence uses To Be (is, am, are, was, were)
Place the adverb of frequency AFTER the to be verb.
- He is always late. (Not He always is late).
- They are usually happy.
2. If the sentence uses a Main Verb
Place the adverb of frequency BEFORE the main verb.
- I always remember his birthday. (Not I remember always).
- She never eats meat.
3. If the sentence has a Helping Verb
If there is a helping verb like will, can, have, must, AND a main verb, place the adverb of frequency BETWEEN them.
- I will always love you. (Between will and love).
- You must never do that again.
Exceptions: Sometimes and Usually
Of all the words in the list above, the words sometimes and usually are the most flexible. They can be placed at the beginning, in the middle (following the rules), or at the end of a sentence.
- Sometimes I go to work by bus. (Beginning).
- I sometimes go to work by bus. (Middle).
- I go to work by bus sometimes. (End).
Conclusion: Use the percentage scale to choose the right word. And always remember the positioning rules: After To Be, Before the Main Verb, or Between them if there is a helping verb!