Adverbs of frequency

Adverbs of frequency tell us how often something happens, answering questions like “How frequently?” or “How many times?” They modify a verb to indicate the regularity or repetition of an action, ranging from always to never, and help establish patterns or habits.

Characteristics

• Focus: They describe the rate of occurrence (e.g., “always” means every time, “rarely” means seldom).
• Position: They usually come before the main verb (e.g., “She always sings”) but after the verb “to be” (e.g., “He is never late”). Some can also start a sentence for emphasis (e.g., “Sometimes, I run”).
• Types: They include definite frequency (e.g., “daily,” “once”) and indefinite frequency (e.g., “often,” “seldom”).

Examples

1. Always: “She always arrives on time.” (Every time.)
2. Daily: “He exercises daily.” (Once a day.)
3. Never: “We never miss a game.” (Not at all.)
4. Often: “He often forgets his keys.” (Many times.)
5. Rarely: “They rarely argue.” (Not often.)
6. Seldom: “She seldom complains.” (Infrequently.)
7. Sometimes: “I sometimes walk home.” (Occasionally.)
8. Usually: “It usually rains in April.” (Most times.)
9. More words: Constantly, frequently, generally, hardly ever, normally, occasionally.

Important notes

• Definite frequency adverbs (e.g., “hourly,” “twice”) often go at the end of a sentence (“I call twice”).
• They can pair with degree adverbs for nuance (e.g., “very often”).
• Some, like “sometimes,” are flexible in placement, adding variety to sentences.

In essence, adverbs of frequency map out how routine or rare an action is, giving a rhythm to events.

Continue learning:

⁍ Adverbs of
Degree
Frequency
Manner
Place
Purpose/reason
Time
⁍ Adverb positions
⁍ Conjunctive adverbs

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