Fred loved counting how often things happened in his day.
Fred: I always eat breakfast at 7 AM.
Fred’s mom: That’s right! And you usually read a book after school.
Fred: I sometimes play outside, but I never skip my homework!
Fred enjoyed talking about his routines. How often did he do each activity?
He used words like always, usually, sometimes,and never to explain.
These words are frequency adverbs. They help you explain how often things happen, making it easier to describe your routines, habits, and even to emphasize something that happens all the time or hardly ever.
Take a look at some frequency adverbs with examples to learn the right way to use them in sentences.
What are frequency adverbs?
Frequency adverbs explain how often something (an action) happens. They answer questions like "How often do you...?" or "How many times in a certain period?"
Do you know how often you do things every day? There are two types of frequency adverbs:
1. Definite frequency
These adverbs give an exact idea of how often something happens. For example:
Definite frequency adverbs with examples:
Every day — I go to school every day.
Once a week — Sam goes shopping once a week.
Twice a month — We visit our grandparents twice a month.
2. Indefinite frequency
These adverbs give a general idea, but not an exact number. Common ones include:
Indefinite frequency adverbs with examples:
Always (100% of the time) — I always brush my teeth before bed.
Usually (about 80% of the time) — Sam usually walks to school.
Often (around 60% of the time) — She often plays badminton in the evening.
Sometimes (about 40% of the time) — I sometimes ride my bicycle to school.
Rarely (around 20% of the time) — I rarely go to the gym.
Never (0% of the time) — She never wears black clothes.
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses a frequency adverb to show an exact number of times an action happens?
Where to place frequency adverbs?
1. Definite frequency adverbs
They usually go at the beginning or end of the sentence.
Placement of definite frequency adverbs with examples:
We have a meeting every Wednesday.
Once a year, we go on a family vacation.
2. Indefinite frequency adverbs
They usually go before the main verb in a sentence.
Placement of indefinite frequency adverbs with examples:
I often read books before bed.
She never skips breakfast.
Be careful!
With the verb "to be" (am, is, are, was, were), place the adverb after the verb.
"To be" & frequency adverbs with examples:
He is usually happy.
They are always dancing in their free time.
Play this interactive activity to practice word order with adverbs of frequency.
Quiz
Where should the frequency adverb be placed in this sentence? "She is happy."
When to use frequency adverbs?
Use frequency adverbs to talk about your routines, habits, or things that happen regularly.
Routine & habit adverbs with examples:
I never eat sweets before dinner. (habit)
She always calls her mom on Sundays. (routine)
When not to use frequency adverbs
Avoid using frequency adverbs when discussing actions that happen only once or in specific future plans.
Placement of frequency adverbs with examples:
Incorrect: I always will travel to India next year.
Correct: I will travel to India next year.
Take Action
Try to start using frequency adverbs in your daily life!
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