Adverbs of Frequency In English

Introduction

This article discusses adverbs of frequency in English. We will define these adverbs, give examples, and show how to use them in sentences.

Let’s start with the definition!

What Are Adverbs of Frequency?

Adverbs of frequency are essential tools in expressing how often activities take place.

We use adverbs of frequency to say how often we do something. Commonly used with the present simple tense, these adverbs convey the frequency of repeated or routine actions.

Adverbs of Frequency in English

Expressing Frequency In English

To express frequency in English, we use adverbs like “always, “usually”, “often”, “sometimes”, “seldom or rarely”, and “never.”

Adverb	Frequency
Always	100%
Usually	80-99%
Often	60-79%
Sometimes	40-59%
Seldom/Rarely	20-39%
Never	0%

Example sentences

• They often go out for dinner.
• I never go to the cinema; I don’t like it.
• I don’t mind going to the theater; I sometimes go with my husband.
• “Never say never.” (proverb)
• She likes dancing; she always goes to the nightclub to dance.
• They usually quarrel; I rarely see them on good terms with each other.

Position of adverbs of frequency

1. Adverbs of frequency are typically positioned before the main verb, except when the main verb is “to be.”

Examples:

• I sometimes visit my uncle.
• We have often seen him pass by the house.
• She must study harder.
• They are seldom at work.

2. Occasionally, sometimes, often, frequently, and usually can also be placed at the beginning or end of a sentence:

• Sometimes, they visit him.
• I miss him occasionally.

3. Rarely and seldom can also appear at the end of a sentence, often with “very”:

• We see them rarely.
• John eats meat very seldom.

Additional Adverbs of Frequency

Occasionally and Frequently

• Occasionally: At infrequent or irregular intervals; now and then.
  • I occasionally treat myself to a piece of chocolate after a long day.
  • We occasionally go hiking in the mountains during the summer.
  • She occasionally attends art exhibitions to explore new artists.
• Frequently: Regularly or habitually; often.
  • The company frequently organizes team-building activities to boost morale.
  • He frequently checks his email throughout the day to stay updated.
  • We frequently see deer in our backyard, especially in the early morning.

Hourly, daily, weekly, Monthly, yearly

• The weather updates are provided hourly to keep everyone informed.
• I read the newspaper daily to stay updated on current events.
• We have a team meeting weekly to discuss project progress.
• I pay my rent monthly to the landlord.
• The organization hosts a yearly charity event to raise funds.

Once, Twice, Three Times

• I visited Paris once, and the memories of the Eiffel Tower are unforgettable.
• He has climbed that mountain twice, conquering it on both occasions.
• I’ve watched that movie three times; it’s just that good.

Hardly Ever

1. I hardly ever eat fast food; I prefer cooking fresh meals at home.
2. She hardly ever misses her morning jog, rain or shine.
3. They hardly ever go to the beach, as they live far from the coast.

Extensive List of Adverbs

Adverb	Example Sentence
Always	She always arrives at work early.
Constantly	He is constantly checking his phone for updates.
Daily	I check my email daily to stay informed.
Daily	They engage in physical exercise daily.
Ever	Have you ever traveled to Europe?
Every hour	The bus comes every hour during rush hour.
Everyday	I wear casual clothes everyday to work.
Eventually	Eventually, you’ll get the hang of it.
Frequently	He frequently attends industry conferences.
Generally	Generally, people enjoy spending time outdoors.
Hardly ever	She hardly ever eats fast food.
Hourly	The report is updated hourly.
Monthly	I pay my bills monthly to stay organized.
Never	I never drink coffee after 6 PM.
Normally	Normally, I take a walk after dinner.
Now and then	Now and then, we go out for ice cream.
Occasionally	I occasionally treat myself to a spa day.
Often	He often forgets where he puts his keys.
Once	I have been to Parice once.
Rarely	She rarely takes a day off from work.
Regularly	I regularly practice yoga for relaxation.
Scarcely	The old bookstore is scarcely visited nowadays.
Seldom	We seldom see shooting stars in the city.
Sometimes	Sometimes, I prefer staying in rather than going out.
Usually	I usually take a break around noon.
Yearly	The company hosts a yearly team-building retreat.

Asking Questions About Frequency:

To ask questions about the frequency of actions or events, use these common question structures:

1. How often…?
   • Examples:
     • “How often do you go to the gym?” => “I usually go to the gym.”
     • “How often do you check your emails?” => “I always check my emails in the morning.”
     • “How often do you travel abroad?” => “I rarely travel abroad.”
2. Do you usually/often/sometimes…?
   • Examples:
     • “Do you usually cook dinner at home?” => “Yes, I usually cook dinner at home.”
     • “Does she often work out?” => “She never works out.”
     • “When do they sometimes meet?” => “They sometimes meet on Sundays.”
3. Have you ever…?
   • Examples:
     • “Have you ever traveled to Asia?” => “Yes, I have. I visited Japan last year, and it was an amazing experience.”
     • “Have you ever tried skydiving?” => “No, I haven’t. The idea of jumping out of an airplane is a bit too adventurous for me.”
     • “Have you ever met a celebrity?” => “es, once! I had the chance to meet a famous actor at a film festival a few years ago. It was quite surreal.”

More about the topic here.

Related Materials:

Practice your understanding with adverbs of frequency exercises:

• Exercise on adverbs of frequency.