Adverbs of frequency inform us of the extent of frequency. They also state when a particular action occurs frequently, occasionally, or rarely. They are often located before the main verb or after auxiliary verbs such as “is” or “have.” Adverbs of frequency are helpful because they demonstrate how often or how seldom something is done.
Contents
- What are adverbs of frequency?
- Rules for Adverbs of Frequency:
- Placement in Sentences:
- In Negative Sentences:
- In Questions:
- Never use double negatives:
- Order of Frequency:
- Common Adverbs of frequency List:
- Examples od Adverbs of Frequency in Sentences
- Using Adverbs of Frequency with Modal and Auxiliary Verbs
What are adverbs of frequency?
Adverbs of frequency are used to express how often something occurs in the present, past or future. They are best used to describe a procedure, a usual practice, or a probability of an occurrence. For Example:
- ➽ I always brush my teeth before bed.
- ➽ They sometimes play football on weekends.
- ➽ She never eats junk food.
Adverbs of frequency are often placed before the main verb but after the verb "to be."
Rules for Adverbs of Frequency:
- Placement in Sentences:
Before the main verb: It usually used before action word (main verb) that present in the sentence.
- She often reads books.
So, the word ‘Often’ is used before the verb ‘reads’ to express how often she reads.
After the "to be" verb: The adverb comes after forms of the verb “to be “am, is, are, was, were.
- It is always a pleasure to wait for the weekend.
In this case always comes after are which is a form of to be.
- In Negative Sentences:
However, if you are using the negative word (like ‘not’) place the adverb after it.
- She do not get to drive to her place of work most of the times.
“Usually” is employed to follow “doesn’t” read negative word.
- In Questions:
In formation of questions, the adverb in English language precede the main verb.
- Do you often travel abroad?
It is used before the noun “travel” to mean the frequency of the occurrence.
- Never use double negatives:
Do not conjoined two negative forms of words in your writing or speaking. Use only one.
- Correct: She never eats sweets.
- Incorrect: She doesn’t never eat sweets.
Whenever a phrase contains “never,” it conveys a “no” or “doesn’t” and repeating it results in two no’s.
- Order of Frequency:
Frequently, fairly often, often, occasionally, seldom, rarely, never are used to express the frequency of an event.
- I always exercise in the morning; it is 100% truth.
She only exercises that is go to the gym occasionally (sometimes she goes almost every time by 50%).
- He never eats meat and I never had the chance to see him eat it or any percentage of it (0 percent).
Every word demonstrates different degrees of the frequency from always to never.
Common Adverbs of frequency List:
Examples od Adverbs of Frequency in Sentences
Using Adverbs of Frequency with Modal and Auxiliary Verbs
Frequency adverbs including always, often, never, sometimes, etc inform us of the extent of frequency of an event. When using them with modal verbs (like can, should, will) or auxiliary verbs (like be, have, do), the placement of the adverb is important:
➥ With Modal Verbs:
Adverbs of frequency follow the modal verb but precede the main verb. For Example:
- She can always depend on friends.
- That I can assure you because he will never forget your kindness.
➥ With Auxiliary Verbs:
Adverbs of frequency precede the main verb or participle but follow the auxiliary verb. For Example:
- They are normally involved in executing the project.
- They say she has never been to a movie like that.
In both cases the adverb is inserted between the modal/auxiliary verb and the bare infinitive verb.