How to correctly use ‘Adverbs of frequency’ in English

How often do you study grammar rules in English? Do you study regularly? Or hardly ever? A
fundamental aspect of learning any language is learning to say how often you do things. In the English language, we generally do this by using what are called ‘adverbs of frequency’. Here’s some examples of them used in English language sentences:

a. You’re always complaining!

b. I am very busy, so I hardly ever have time to watch TV.

c. The Lunar New Year holiday sometimes falls in January, but it usually falls in February.

When do you use adverbs of frequency?

Adverbs of frequency allow us to express how regularly something happens. An adverb can have various functions. For example, it can describe a verb (“he drives quickly”) or it can describe a whole clause (“Luckily, he escaped from the accident uninjured”). Adverbs of frequency also have these functions. But they also express how often the verb happens, or how often the entire clause happens. An adverb of frequency is almost always just one word. But there is one exception - the adverb “hardly ever”.

So how do you know which adverb of frequency to use? It depends on how often something happens. Use the table below to help you:

 TIP: A good way to improve your use of verbs of frequency is to attend an English course that includes English conversation, so you can practice talking and listening in English. Try our English classes for adults:  

What are the grammar rules for English adverbs of frequency?

In English, the most important rules for adverbs of frequency are related to making sure you use them in the correct position in sentences. There are three common positions, depending on the type of verb:

These rules for adverb position in English may seem random. Why put the adverb after the verb “to be” but before all other verbs? The reason is pronunciation. When a fluent English speaker is saying something they almost always contract words. So “You are late” becomes “You’re late”; “I have considered” becomes “I’ve considered”…and so on. Putting an adverb before the verb or before the auxiliary would make it hard to say the contraction. So, the adverb appears after these items. You can find out more about how connected speech works in this mini lesson.

Exceptions and variations when you use adverbs of frequency

It’s the same in English and many other languages - adverbs are not the only way to express frequency. You can also use multi-word expressions, especially ones which incorporate the words “every” or “a”:

Bradley goes to French class every Tuesday and Thursday.

Tanya travels abroad at least three times a year.

Sophie phones her grandmother once a week.

Note these expressions of frequency usually come at the end of the sentence or clause.

Now comes the “fun” part. There are general rules in English for the correct position of adverbs of frequency in sentences, but certain adverbs can break these rules.

When the speaker wants to emphasise the adverb, it’s common to place it at the beginning (or even at the end) of the sentence. This is particularly common for adverbs which suggest “middle” frequency, like usually, often, sometimes.  Let’s look at the sentence:

I sometimes work on Saturdays.
This is correct. It follows the rules outlined in the previous section. But you can also say:

Sometimes, I work on Saturdays.

Putting the word “sometimes” at the start of the sentence shows this fact is surprising - perhaps we assumed the speaker never worked on Saturdays?

Click here for more useful information on adverbs of frequency and their positions. 

How to avoid mistakes with adverbs of frequency in English 

In English, certain adverbs can appear in more than one possible position in a sentence. But you can never insert an adverb between a verb and its object:

I read often sci-fi novels. ✗ 

I often read sci-fi novels. ✓ (Or for emphasis, “Often, I read sci-fi novels.”/ “I read sci-fi novels often.”)

The adverbs “never”, “rarely”, “seldom” and “hardly ever” have a negative implication. This means they must be used with verbs in the affirmative. If the verb is the negative form, the sentence would contain a double negative. Double negatives are not possible in English – they cancel each other out so everyone is confused.

I don’t never buy CDs nowadays. ✗  

I never buy CDs nowadays. ✓

The adverb “never” only describes things which have not happened. Use the word “ever” to describe things which have happened:

It’s the best film I have never seen. ✗

It’s the best film I have ever seen. ✓

When using the expression “have to” to express obligation, remember “have” is a verb, not an auxiliary, in this case. This means the adverb usually comes before it.

I have always to take a nap after a big meal. ✗

I always have to take a nap after a big meal. ✓

Examples of English adverbs of frequency in movies, songs, TV series

I will always love you - In this famous song from the 1990s, Whitney Houston told her lover that he will always be in her heart.

We are never (ever ever) getting back together - In her 2012 worldwide hit, Taylor Swift told her ex that she never again wants him as her boyfriend (here the words “never, ever, ever” just emphasize the idea of “never”). She really means it!

Tomorrow never dies - This 1997 movie tells the story of 007 James Bond trying to save the world by chasing an evil criminal who wants to start World War Three. 

Forrest Gump - In this 1994 film, the main character Forrest says the famous line “My mama always said that life was like a box of chocolates - you never know what you’re going to get”.

Mini quiz

Each of the sentences below contains one mistake. Find the mistake, and correct it.

1. I always am happy when I finish work early.

2. Susan has been never to Thailand.

3. Gerald needs to take his medication three times for day.

4. Always I try to arrive at the office before 9am.

5. It doesn’t hardly ever rain in my country.

6. I eat sometimes muesli for breakfast.

7. I always don’t remember my keys when I leave the house.

(Answers)

1. I am always happy when I finish work early.

2. Susan has never been to Thailand.

3. Gerald needs to take his medication three times a day.

4. I always try to arrive at the office before 9a.m.

5. It hardly ever rains in my country.

6. I sometimes eat muesli for breakfast.

(Or for emphasis, “Sometimes, I eat muesli for breakfast.” / “I eat muesli for breakfast sometimes.”)

7. I don’t always remember my keys when I leave the house.

(Or “I never remember my keys when I leave the house.”)