October 28th

Adverbs of Frequency: Indefinite and Definite. Position in a sentence

Indefinite frequency adverbs are often used to modify verbs that are in the present simple
tense, which is used when we speak about habits, general facts and timetables. However, we
can also use them with other verb tenses, such as: past tenses (I don’t know about now… but in
the past, he usually remembered about my birthday.) or future tenses (I will always be there
for you!).
- here are some examples of adverbs of indefinite frequency, that are commonly used:
always, usually, generally, frequently, often, sometimes, occasionally, seldom/rarely,
hardly ever, never, ever (in interrogative and negative sentences) etc.
These adverbs usually occupy the following position in a sentence:

1. before the verb (Subject + Adverb + Verb):

He usually goes to the market in the morning.

John and Mary never drink coffee.
I seldom read newspapers.
He never invited me to his parties.
She often travelled when she lived in Spain.
I hardly ever eat fish. (hardly ever = almost never)
!!! There are frequency adverbs such as “never, always, seldom, often, frequently,
occasionally, normally, once, twice” etc. can also be used with Past Tense Simple.

!!! Some indefinite frequency adverbs (always, frequently, never, usually, sometimes,
occasionally, seldom, rarely) can also go at the beginning or end of the sentence, when we want
to emphasize that adverb (especially when they go at the beginning):
Always brush your teeth in the morning! (we usually say: You always brush your teeth in the
morning.)
My friends travel to Europe frequently. (we usually say: My friends frequently travel to
Europe.)
Usually, I go to the movies on Sundays, but not this time. (we usually say: I usually go to the
movies on Sundays.)
I play tennis occasionally./ Occasionally, I like to eat Chinese food.
John eats meat very seldom./ Seldom do we receive any apology from them! (we usually say:
John seldom eats meat.)
We meet rarely. (we usually say: We rarely meet.)
Never have I felt so insulted! (we usually say: I have never felt so insulted!)
He comes up to visit sometimes./ Sometimes, he comes up to visit. (we usually say: He
sometimes comes up to visit.)

2. after the verb “to be”:

We are always on time for our guitar classes.

They were never hungry.

3. between the auxiliary and the main verb:

John doesn’t usually ride the bike. (Present Simple, negative)

Do you ever buy comics? (Present Simple, interrogative)

They will always support us. (Future Simple)

I have never read this book./ Have you ever been to London? (Present Perfect Simple,
affirmative and interrogative)

We were sometimes walking on the beach. (Past Continuous)

She can sometimes beat me in the race./ They might never see each other again. (modal
auxiliary verb “can”, “might”)
Definite Frequency Adverbs. Position in a Sentence

- adverbs of definite frequency: once/twice/three times a week/month etc., daily, weekly,

monthly, yearly, annually, every second/year etc., every two weeks (= o data la doua
saptamani) etc.

- such adverbs usually go in the end position (at the end of the sentence):
They visit us daily. /They don’t visit us daily./ Do they visit us daily?
They are at work every day./ They aren’t at work every day./ Are they at work every day?

- sometimes, usually for reasons of emphasis or style, some adverbs of definite frequency
can go at the front (except for the “-ly” adverbs, which always come at the end of the
sentence):
Every week, my dad washes his car.
BUT: You need to send me updates hourly.