Learn 9 Important Adverbs of Frequency in English

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Adverbs of frequency are a fascinating part of English grammar that we use to express how often something occurs. These handy words and phrases help us convey routines and patterns in our daily lives, allowing us to provide more details about habits and frequencies of actions. Whether something happens always, sometimes, or never, these adverbs can pinpoint the occurrence with great accuracy.

Understanding Adverbs of Frequency

What Are Adverbs of Frequency?

Adverbs of frequency are words that describe how often an action occurs. We use these adverbs to give our listeners or readers a clearer picture of our habits, routines, or occurrences in general. Common examples include:

• Always
• Frequently
• Often
• Sometimes
• Seldom
• Rarely
• Never

These adverbs are integral for providing specific information regarding the frequency of events.

Placement in Sentences

Before Main Verbs

For most main verbs, we place the adverb of frequency directly before the action verb. This rule helps to indicate how frequently the action occurs clearly. Here’s how we do it:

• I always drink coffee in the morning.
• They usually walk to school.

After Be Verbs

When we deal with the verb “to be,” we place adverbs of frequency after it. This keeps our sentences grammatically correct and the meaning clear. Consider these examples:

• She is often late for meetings.
• We are never bored at the park.

Position in Questions

In questions, adverbs of frequency can come either after the subject or between the auxiliary verb and the main verb. This placement helps us maintain the question’s flow while incorporating the frequency element. Here are the formats we use:

• Do you often visit the museum?
• Have they ever tried surfing?

Common Adverbs of Frequency

• 100% – ALWAYS

Example: He’s always very punctual. I’ll see if he’s here yet.

• 90% – USUALLY

Example: We usually go to the restaurant on Sundays.

• 80% – GENERALLY

Example: We generally go to the sea for our holidays.

• 70% – OFTEN

Example: They often went caroling at Christmas.

• 50% – SOMETIMES

Example: Sometimes, I just need someone to talk to.

• 30% – OCCASIONALLY

Example: We occasionally meet for a drink after work.

• 15% – SELDOM

Example: I have seldom seen such brutality.

• 5% – RARELY

Example: She is old and rarely goes out.

• 0% – NEVER

Example: If you don’t aim high you will never hit high.

Interactive Exercises

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Adverb of Frequency

Select the correct adverb of frequency to complete each sentence.

1. I __________ drink coffee in the morning. (always/never)
2. She __________ goes to bed before 11 PM. (seldom/often)
3. They __________ visit their grandparents on weekends. (usually/sometimes)
4. He __________ forgets his keys. (rarely/always)
5. We __________ watch TV in the afternoon. (never/often)
6. My sister __________ helps me with my homework. (sometimes/never)
7. You __________ take the bus to work. (always/rarely)
8. The garden __________ needs watering in the rainy season. (seldom/usually)
9. Our dog __________ barks at strangers. (never/always)
10. I __________ eat out at restaurants. (often/never)

Answers:

1. always
2. seldom
3. usually
4. rarely
5. never
6. sometimes
7. rarely
8. seldom
9. always
10. often

Exercise 2: Insert the Adverb of Frequency in the Correct Position

Place the adverb of frequency in the correct position in the sentence.

1. I (go) to the gym. (never)
2. She (read) books. (always)
3. They (arrive) on time for meetings. (usually)
4. He (lose) his temper. (hardly ever)
5. We (take) a vacation once a year. (usually)
6. My brother (play) video games. (sometimes)
7. You (miss) the train. (rarely)
8. The children (do) their chores without being asked. (sometimes)
9. Our cat (sleep) on the sofa. (always)
10. I (forget) to water the plants. (occasionally)

Answers:

1. I never go to the gym.
2. She always reads books.
3. They usually arrive on time for meetings.
4. He hardly ever loses his temper.
5. We usually take a vacation once a year.
6. My brother sometimes plays video games.
7. You rarely miss the train.
8. The children sometimes do their chores without being asked.
9. Our cat always sleeps on the sofa.
10. I occasionally forget to water the plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can we effectively teach children about the use of adverbs of frequency?

We can start by introducing adverbs of frequency through storytelling and examples related to daily routines. Using visuals and charts that depict frequency words can help children grasp where and how these adverbs fit into sentences.

Could you provide some engaging activities for learning adverbs of frequency?

Certainly! We could use games like Bingo or board games that require children to use adverbs of frequency in sentences. Role-playing daily scenarios where they describe their routines is also an effective way to practice.

What role do adverbs of frequency play in the present perfect tense?

Adverbs of frequency in the present perfect tense help us express how often an action has occurred up to the present moment. For example, “I have often visited the museum this year.”

Could you give examples of common adverbs of frequency used in everyday English?

Absolutely! “Always,” “usually,” “frequently,” “often,” “sometimes,” “rarely,” and “never” are adverbs of frequency that we use regularly to describe the occurrence of actions.

How are adverbs of frequency correctly placed within a sentence?

We generally place adverbs of frequency before the main verb but after the verb ‘to be.’ For example, “I always eat breakfast at 7 AM,” versus “I am often late.”