Ch 13
Adverbs of Frequency
always · usually · sometimes · never
Adverbs of frequency tell us how often something happens. They go on a scale from always (100%) to never (0%).
usually
~90% — most of the time
sometimes
~50% — occasionally
rarely / seldom
~10% — not often
Subject + adverb + verb → I always drink coffee. ✓
always
She always arrives on time.
usually
I usually walk to work.
often
They often go to the cinema.
Subject + be + adverb + ... → She is always late. ✓
Beginning
Sometimes I work from home.
Middle
I sometimes work from home.
End
I work from home sometimes.
Always, never, often normally go in the middle. Don't put them at the end.
Question
How often do you exercise?
Frequency adverb
I usually exercise three times a week.
Time expression
I exercise three times a week / every day / twice a month.
How often do you read?
→ Every day.
How often does she travel?
→ Twice a year.
I drink always coffee.
→
I always drink coffee.
Adverb before the main verb
She always is late.
→
She is always late.
After "to be" — exception
I go never to the cinema.
→
I never go to the cinema.
"Never" before the main verb
I don't never eat meat.
→
I never eat meat.
Never = already negative
Recap
Scale
always > usually > often > sometimes > rarely > never
100% to 0%
Main verb
adverb BEFORE verb
I always drink coffee.
to be
adverb AFTER verb
She is always late.
Question
How often + auxiliary + ...?
How often do you exercise?