Adverbs of frequency in English

 

Always, sometimes, usually … These are adverbs in English that we use very often. An important aspect when we are learning a language is knowing exactly how often we do something. For this we use the adverbs of frequency.

In this article we are going to see those adverbs in English that we use to indicate how often and how often we do something. In addition, we will be able to see a list with the most used adverbs of frequency and at the end of the text you will be able to test yourself with a series of exercises

When do we use adverbs of frequency?

Adverbs of frequency are what we use to express the frequency with which an action is performed. That is, when we want to talk about the frequency with which we do something or in which something happens. These are the most used adverbs of frequency:

Always
constantly
Continually
Frequently
Generally
Hardly Ever
normally
Never
Often
Occasionally
regularly
rarely
Seldon
Sometimes
Usually

Rules of use: Where are they placed?

One of the difficulties for Spanish speakers when studying English grammar is knowing where to place adverbs in a sentence. And you have to be careful, since they cannot be placed in any way. There are several rules:

1.The general rule is that they are placed before the verb and with a basic structure:

Subject + Adverb of frequency + Main verb + Complement

• • I always wash my hair in the mornings. 
    I always wash my hair in the morning. 
  • My dad never waits for everyone to be at the table to start eating.
    My father never waits for everyone to be at the table to start eating. 

2. The second most used is when the adverb follows the verb 'to be' or a modal verb:
Subject + Verb 'to be' + Adverb of frequency + Complement

• My brother is never on time. 
  My brother is never on time.
• You can always call me.

3. Finally, the adverb of frequency can also go at the beginning of a sentence, but only Usually, Frequently, Occasionally, Often and Sometimes can start or end a sentence.
Adverb of frequency + Subject + Verb + Complement

Subject + Verb + Complement + Adverb of Frequency 

• Sometimes I see her at the supermarket. 
  Sometimes I see her in the supermarket. 
• I go to the gym regularly. 
  I go to the gym regularly. 

More uses of the adverb of frequency

We cannot forget that the adverbs of frequency, as we have commented at the beginning of these lines, are also used to express the frequency with which we do something weekly or monthly. In English, these are some:

Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Annually

We also use adverbs of frequency to express how many times we do something:

Eleven
Twice
three time

• She has an evaluation meeting with her boss once a month. 
  She has an evaluation meeting with her boss once a month. 
• I take a shower twice a day.
  I shower twice a day.
• She calls her three times a day.
  She calls her son three times a day.

Starting from three ( three times ), we use the number + the word times . For example:

• I go to see my grandma five times a week. 
• I go to see my grandmother five times a week.

In English, there are expressions that are commonly used to express frequency. They can all be translated to “ once every so often” or “from time to time ”.

• Once in a while: 

Once in a while, I went to the cemetery. 

Once every so often, I go to the cemetery. 

• From time to time: 

From time to time, I like cooking. 

From time to time I like to cook. 

• Every now and then: 

Every now and then I think of changing house. 

From time to time I think about moving house. 

Exercises on adverbs of frequency

Complete the exercises with the adverb of frequency + the verb. Below you will find the correct answers.

1. I go to the supermarket that is outside the city. (often)
   I _____ to the supermarket that is outside the city.
2. Do you catch the bus to work? (always)
   Do ______ the bus to work?
3. There are a lot of people running at 6 am. (hardly ever)
   There ______ a lot of people running at 6a am.
4. Does she go to church on Sundays? (Usually)
   Does she _______ to church on Sundays?
5. I manage to sleep before 1 am. (never)
   I _________ to sleep before 1 am.
6. I am hungry before every meal. (always)
   I _______ before every meal.
7. We go to visit my grandma (weekly)
   We go to visit my grandma ______
8. I see him at the gym. (sometimes)
   ________ I see him at the gym.

Answers: 

1. I often go to the supermarket that is outside the city.
2. Do you always catch the bus to work?
3. There is hardly ever a lot of people running at 6 am.
4. Does she usually go to church on Sundays?
5. I never manage to sleep before 1 am.
6. I am always hungry before every meal.
7. We go to visit my grandma weekly.
8. Sometimes I see him at the gym.

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