Understanding Adverbs of Frequency

In English grammar, adverbs of frequency are used to describe how often an action happens. They help express the regularity or frequency of activities, habits, and events.

What Are Adverbs of Frequency?

Adverbs of frequency are words that show how often something happens. They are commonly used with the present simple tense to talk about routines and repeated actions.

Examples:

I always drink coffee in the morning.
She usually goes to work by bus.
They sometimes watch movies together.
He never eats fast food.

Common Adverbs of Frequency

Adverb	Frequency	Example
Always	100%	I always wake up early.
Usually	80-90%	She usually studies at night.
Often	60-70%	We often visit our friends.
Sometimes	50%	He sometimes plays football.
Rarely	10-20%	They rarely eat outside.
Never	0%	I never smoke.

Position of Adverbs of Frequency

The position of an adverb of frequency depends on the verb in the sentence.

1. Before Main Verbs

Adverbs of frequency usually come before the main verb.

I always study English.
She often reads books.
They usually arrive early.

2. After the Verb "To Be"

When using the verb be, the adverb comes after the verb.

He is always happy.
They are usually busy.
She is never late.

3. With Auxiliary Verbs

When there is an auxiliary verb, the adverb usually comes after the auxiliary verb and before the main verb.

I have never seen that movie.
She can always help you.
They will usually arrive on time.

Adverbs of Frequency With Present Simple

Adverbs of frequency are often used with the present simple tense because this tense describes habits and routines.

I always brush my teeth before bed.
He usually works from home.
We sometimes go shopping on weekends.

Using "How Often" Questions

We use How often to ask about frequency.

How often do you exercise?
I exercise three times a week.

Other examples:

How often do you travel?
I usually travel during holidays.

Adverbs of Frequency vs Frequency Expressions

Adverbs of Frequency	Frequency Expressions
always	every day
often	once a week
sometimes	twice a month
never	every year

Common Mistakes With Adverbs of Frequency

Incorrect	Correct
I go always to school.	I always go to school.
She always is happy.	She is always happy.
He doesn't never eat vegetables.	He never eats vegetables.

Exercises and Practice

Choose the correct adverb of frequency:

I _____ drink water in the morning. (always / never)
She _____ watches TV after work. (usually / rarely)
They _____ go to the cinema because they are busy. (sometimes / always)
He is _____ late for meetings. (never / often)

Understanding adverbs of frequency helps learners describe daily routines, habits, and repeated actions more naturally in English conversations and writing.