Adverbs of Frequency

Adverbs of frequency describe the frequency of an action. They answer to the question:

How often?

• How often do you go to the cinema? I always go to the cinema.
• How often does he play tennis? He never plays tennis.
• How often do the kids visit Gary? They sometimes visit him.

They are also known as Adverbs of Indefinite Frequency because the frequency is not exact.

Usually, frequency adverbs are used in Simple Present to indicate routine or repetitions of activities.

They are:

Position of the Adverbs

Between the subject and the verb:

• The kids always go to the cinema.
• The Jacksons never visit me.
• Julie sometimes goes to the club.

After the verb to be:

• Andy is never late.
• Marcos is occasionally here.
• My nephews are usually happy.

Between the auxiliary verb and the main verb:

• They can occasionally come to visit.
• She has never been to Brazil.
• You must always be careful.

We can also, use some adverbs at the beginning of a sentence:

• Usually
• Normally
• Often
• Frequently
• Sometimes
• Occasionally

Negative Sentences

In negative sentences we place the adverb of frequency between the auxiliary verb and the main verb:

• They don’t always get late.
• Donna doesn’t usually act like this.
• He doesn’t normally speaks like that.

Attention:

Never, rarely, hardly ever, and seldom are negative adverbs that’s why they are not used in negative sentences.

Adverbs of definite Frequency

Adverbs of definite frequency are used when we want to be more specific about the frequency of an action.

To be more precise with an answer we can use some expressions:

• Once a day
• Twice a week
• Three times a month
• Every day
• Monthly
• Weekly
• Every Monday

Usually, Definite Adverbs of Frequency are put at the end of the sentences.

• We make a complete review every year.
• My friends and I meet weekly.
• Jane travels three times a month.

When we want to emphasize the frequency of the action, we start it using the adverb.

• Every year we make a complete review.
• Once a month all the family gathers for lunch.
• Every day I go to the gym.

According to the website bbc.co.uk two different types of pronunciation are correct.

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