Frequency Adverbs

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Frequency Adverbs

• 06-10-19

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When we want to say how often something
happens, it is common to use frequency adverbs.
It is possible to use them when referring
to the past, present or future, as in the
following examples We often went camping
when we were children. I usually go to the
gym at lunchtime. I will always love you.
The most common frequency adverbs are given
below Always Usually Frequently
Often Sometimes Occasionally
Rarely Seldom Hardly ever Never
How about and ?

normally
regularly
And generally?
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I always brush my teeth before I go to bed.
(every night) I usually have toast for
breakfast. (happens most days) I frequently
watch the news before dinner. (it's common) I
often go to the park with my dog. (many times) I
sometimes see him down at the shops. (at
particular occasions but not all the time) I
occasionally visit the capital. (not happening
often or regularly) I rarely smoke cigars. (it
is not common) I seldom have a chance to go to
the theatre. (almost never) I hardly ever
travel abroad. (almost never) I never work on
the weekend. (not at any time or not on any
occasion)
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Position of Frequency Adverbs
Adverbs of frequency can occupy different
positions in the sentence. With most verbs, the
normal position is between the subject and the
verb (mid-position). However, sometimes these
adverbs can go into initial positions in order to
have more emphasis. I usually arrive at school
before 8 oclock. Usually I arrive at school
before 8 oclock. With the verb "to be", the
adverb normally comes after the verb Pedro
occasionally visits us on Sundays. She is often
ill in winter.
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I always tell him to stay away from those
people. ?Always I tell him to stay away from
those people. ?Always stay away from those
people. ?I tell him to stay away from those
people always. I sometimes heard him playing in
the room next door. ?Sometimes I heard him
playing in the room next door. ?I heard him
playing in the room next door sometimes. ?I
sometimes dont hear him playing in the room next
door. ?He has worked hard. (never) ?He has been
working hard. (never)
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Conclusions

• Frequency adverbs denote how often something
  happens.
• These adverbs can go into different positions of
  a sentence, namely, initial position,
  mid-position and end-position.
• Yet, some of them cannot go into initial
  position, like always some of them cannot go
  into end-position, either, like always and
  never.
• When a verb has several parts, the most common
  position is after the first auxiliary verb (has
  never been)