Adverbs of frequency
Always, usually, often, sometimes, never: how often something happens, and where the word goes.
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Adverbs of frequency say how often something happens. They are usually in sentences with the present simple. Their place in the sentence is the important part: before the main verb, but after am, is, are.
From always to never
Word | How often |
|---|---|
always | every time |
usually | most of the time |
often | many times |
sometimes | some of the time |
never | not at any time |
- I always have breakfast.
- We usually cook at home.
- She often works late.
- They sometimes go to the theatre.
- He never drinks coffee.
Before the main verb
Put the adverb between the subject and the main verb.
- My boss usually starts work at eight.
- I often meet my friends after work.
- We sometimes have lunch in the park.
- Incorrect: We eat usually at home.
- Correct: We usually eat at home.Usually goes before the main verb, not after it.
- Incorrect: She drinks never tea.
- Correct: She never drinks tea.
After am, is, are
With the verb be, the adverb goes after it.
- I'm often tired in the evening.
- The bus is usually on time.
- Our neighbours are never at home on Sundays.
- My sister is always busy.
Not with don't: never
Never is already negative. Don't use it with don't or doesn't. The verb after never keeps its normal form, so with he, she, it it has -s.
- I never eat meat.
- Tom never watches TV.
- Incorrect: She doesn't never eat meat.
- Correct: She never eats meat.Never is already negative, and the verb takes -s after she.
Negatives and questions
In a negative, the adverb usually goes after don't or doesn't. In a question, it goes after the subject. In both, it comes before the main verb.
- I don't usually work on Saturdays.
- She doesn't often call me.
- Do you often travel for work?
- Does he always walk to work?
- Are you usually at home in the evening?
Short answers often use the adverb alone.
- "Do you often eat out?" "Not often."
- "Do you cook at home?" "Usually, yes."
- "Do you work at weekends?" "Sometimes."
To ask about how often, use How often.
- How often do you go swimming?
- How often does the bus come? Every ten minutes.
Sometimes and usually at the start
Sometimes and usually can also go at the start of a sentence. Always and never don't usually start a normal statement: put them before the verb.
- Sometimes I work from home.
- Usually we go to bed at eleven.
Every day, once a week: at the end
Longer phrases like every day, every week, once a week, twice a month usually go at the end of the sentence, not before the verb.
- I go swimming twice a week.
- She calls her parents every day.
- Incorrect: I once a week play football.
- Correct: I play football once a week.Phrases like once a week usually go at the end.
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All A1 rulesAdjectives and adverbs: all rules