Grammar & Usage

Adverbs of Frequency
Introduction Notes
A. Adverbs of Frequency
Tip #1
Because they’re so common,
some frequency adverbs can be
100% always moved around in the sentence
and assume other adverb
95% almost always
positions. Sometimes, often, and
80% usually, often, frequently usually fall into this category.
These examples are all correct
50% sometimes, occasionally and have the same meaning:

20% not very often, seldom • Sometimes he is late.

• He is sometimes late.
10% rarely • He is late sometimes.

5% almost never

0% never Tip #2
The position of not very often is
an exception to the normal rule.
Add not to the auxiliary verb
B. Sentence Patterns do (before the main verb), and
place very often at the end of
the sentence.
Sentence Patterns Examples
• She doesn’t go to
• I always eat breakfast. parties very often.

• She often goes swimming after school.

Adv + V
• Our teacher never lets us Tip #3
into the classroom if we’re late.
Though usually used with
the simple present tense,
• He is always tired.
it is possible to discuss
BE + Adv
• They are almost never here. frequency using other tenses.
For example, we can say:

• I always ate breakfast when

I was a child. (simple past)
• I will never eat broccoli
when I grow up.
(simple future)

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