2. WHAT ARE ADVERBS OF FREQUENCY?
Adverbs are an important part of language because with them we express
how an action is performed. When we want to describe how often we do that
action, we need to use what are known as adverbs of frequency. But how do
they differ between them and when should you use them in a phrase or
sentence? Read on to find out.
3. What is the position of the adverbs of frequency?
The most common position for adverbs of
frequency is between the subject and the
verb, it is the grammatically correct way to
place them. Here you can find some simple
examples:
• Sara always goes out on Saturday evenings.
• Her boyfriend usually picks her up and they drive
into the city centre.
• They often meet friends and have a drink
together.
• In the winter they sometimes go to the cinema.
• They rarely go in the summer because they
prefer to stay outside.
• They never get home before midnight.
But since all rules have an exception, it
could not be different in this case. With
sentences that use the verb to be, the
adverb of frequency is placed after the verb.
Look at this example so you can write this
exception in easy English:
• There are always lots of people in the city
centre on Saturday nights.
• It’s often difficult to find a place to park.
• But our friends are never on time so it
doesn’t matter if we’re late.
4. THE USE OF THE ADVERB IN QUESTIONS
To ask questions about the
frequency, it is normally used
For example:
• How often do you watch
films?
• How often does he play
tennis?
• How often do the trains arrive
late?
But it is also possible that when
asking questions, you use the
adverb of frequency in a simple
way, as in the following case:
• Do you often come here?
• Does she always work so
hard?
• Do they ever pay on time?
(‘ever’ instead of ‘never’ for
questions)
5. Adverbs of frequency with modal and auxiliary verbs
If there is a modal verb in the
sentence, the adverb of
frequency is placed after it and
before the main verb. See how
it's done below:
• You must always try your
best.
• We can usually find a seat on
our train.
• They should never be rude to
customers.
This same rule applies to
auxiliary verbs; the adverb of
frequency will then go between
the auxiliary verb and the main
verb, like this:
• I have never visited Turkey.
• He’s always taking things
from my desk. It’s really
annoying.
• You had rarely arrived late at
work until yesterday.
