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English Grammar Rules

We use some adverbs to describe how frequently we do an activity.

These are called adverbs of frequency and include:

Frequency

Adverb of Frequency

Example Sentence

* Some people pronounce the 'T' in often but many others do not.

These are also known as Adverbs of INDEFINITE frequency as the exact frequency is not defined.

The Position of the Adverb in a Sentence

An adverb of frequency goes before a main verb (except with To Be).

An adverb of frequency goes after the verb To Be.

When we use an auxiliary verb (have, will, must, might, could, would, can, etc.), the adverb is placed between the auxiliary and the main verb. This is also true for to be.

We can also use the following adverbs at the start of a sentence:

Usually, normally, often, frequently, sometimes, occasionally

Occasionally, I like to eat Thai food.

BUT we cannot use the following at the beginning of a sentence:

Always, seldom, rarely, hardly, ever, never.

We use hardly ever and never with positive, not negative verbs:

She hardly ever comes to my parties.

They never say 'thank you'.

We use ever in questions and negative statements:

Have you ever been to New Zealand?

I haven't ever been to Switzerland. (The same as 'I have never been Switzerland').

Adverbs of Definite Frequency

We can also use the following expressions when we want to be more specific about the frequency:

These are also known as Adverbs of DEFINITE frequency as the exact frequency is specified.

See our video for details about these types of Adverbs:

Next activities

If you would like to play an interactive game about Adverbs of Frequency, visit: Adverbs of Frequency Word Order Game or our Adverbs of Indefinite Frequency Game.

To see more information about adverbs, check out: Adverbs as well as Adverbs vs. Adjectives.

Adverbios de frecuencia en inglés (for Spanish Speakers)

If you found this grammar guide about Adverbs of Frequency in English useful, let others know about it:

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English Grammar Rules about Adverbs of Frequency including their order in a sentence - Adverbios de frecuencia en inglés

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Adverbs of frequency tell us how often something is done.

Adverbs of frequency include; always, constantly, continually, frequently, infrequently, intermittently, normally, occasionally, often, periodically, rarely, regularly, seldom, sometimes etc.
For example:
I always do my homework on time. - In this sentence always shows us the frequency (how often) I do my homework on time.
She goes out occasionally. - In this sentence occasionally shows us the frequency (how often) she goes out.

Adverbs of frequency appear between the subject and the verb in a sentence:-

For example:
Adverbs of frequency appear after a form of the to be - am, are, is (was, were) in a sentence:-

For example:
Adverbs of frequency go between an auxiliary verb and the main verb:-
For example:
If there are two auxiliary verbs, the adverb of frequency goes between them:-
For example:
I have never been to Asia.

The adverbs of frequency often, usually, sometimes and occasionally can go at the beginning of a sentence:-
For example:
I don't give personal advice. = I don't usually give personal advice.
Occasionally we go for a drive on a Sunday. = We occasionally go for a drive on a Sunday.

Adverbs of frequency go before the verbs used to or have to:-
For example:
I always used to celebrate bonfire night.
I usually have to get up early to walk Laika.

When something happens regularly at a fixed time we can use the following as adverbs:-
For example:
I get a newspaper every day. = I get the newspaper daily.I pay my rent every month. = I pay my rent monthly.

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Adverbs of frequency tell us how often something is done. Adverbs of frequency include; always, constantly, continually, frequently, infrequently, intermittently, normally, occasionally, often, periodically, rarely, regularly, seldom, sometimes etc. For example: I always do my homework on time. - In this sentence always shows us the frequency (how often) I do my homework on time.

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Oxford University Press, English Language Teaching - elt.enquiry@oup.com

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Students >Solutions >Elementary >Grammar >Exercise 1 - Adverbs of frequency

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Adverbs of frequency in English- grammar exercises online. Elementary and intermediate level esl

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Practice Vocabulary and Spelling of Adverbs of Frequency (Usually, Sometimes, Always, Often, Never etc.) in this ESL Interactive Hangman Spelling Game Online. ESL Learners and Teachers can use it to review English vocabulary and grammar or simply practice these words. This spelling activity will help practice vocabulary, grammar and reinforce spelling.

This is a timed activity.It is a hangman game where you spell words.

Games are great for motivating students to learn. By playing our fun educational games, students can practice and review key English vocabulary, grammar and sentences without the boredom which is usually encountered when doing paper-based gap-fill exercises. Play the game below and do not hesitate to share these resources with other learners. This is the philosophy behind our site - www.eslgamesplus.com.

More Games

Looking for a fun way to practice your English grammar skills? Check out this Adverbs of Frequency Hangman Spelling Game! With this online game, you can practice spelling and using adverbs like "usually", "sometimes", "always", "often", and "never".

It's easy to play. Just guess the letters one at a time to try and spell the hidden word. But be careful! You only have a certain number of guesses before the game is over.

Not only is this game a fun way to practice your spelling and grammar, it's also a great way to reinforce what you've learned. So whether you're a beginner or just looking for some extra practice, give this game a try and see how much you can improve your English skills!

So what are you waiting for? Click the link and start playing now!

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Adverbs of Frequency Hangman Spelling Game for ESL, EFL Practice

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Practice Vocabulary and Spelling of Adverbs of Frequency (Usually, Sometimes, Always, Often, Never etc.) in this ESL Interactive Hangman Spelling Game Online. ESL Learners and Teachers can use it to review English vocabulary and grammar or simply practice these words.

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You'll have to take our word for it that the wheel landed on Isabella . Your browser cannot display the wheel of choices. Please upgrade to a newer browser that supports HTML5 (most new ones do). Wheel Decide would normally show a wheel right here with choices that you can set (lunch, games, dinner, anything!).

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Conversation 1

Man: What do you do on the weekend?
Woman: I usually stay home, but sometimes I go out.
Man: Oh, where do you go?
Woman: Sometimes I go to the beach. Sometimes I go to the park.
Man: I often go there too. Do you ever go to the lake?
Woman: No, very rarely. It is too far from house.

Conversation 2

Man: What do you usually have for dinner?
Woman: I try to eat healthy, so I usually cook vegetables.
Man: Really. What kind of stuff do you make?
Woman: Sometimes I make soups. Sometimes I make stir-fry.
Man: Stir-fry! That"s not very healthy.
Woman: I know, but don't eat not eat it often.

Conversation 3

Woman: Do you take the bus to work?
Man: No, I never take the bus. I always drive.
Woman: Yeah, it's so much easier to drive.
Man: Do you drive to work?
Woman: Actually, I rarely drive. I usually walk to work. I live near the office.
Man: Lucky you!

Conversation 4

Man: Do you ever go to the movies?
Woman: I rarely do. It is too expensive. Do you?
Man: No, not often. I usually rent DVDs.
Woman: Really. I never do that. I usually stream movies.
Man: Nice. Do you have fast Internet?
Woman: Yeah, usually it is fast, but sometimes it's slow.

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Listen to four short conversations using adverbs of frequency.

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We use adverbs of frequency - like sometimes or usually - to say how often we do things, or how often things happen.
I never have any problems with adverbs of frequency.

OK, let's see what you know. We use adverbs of frequency in this order, according to their meaning.

Are there any missing?

I think that's most of them. You could include frequently, with usually. We use not very often too.

Very good, you're right. These are the most common adverbs, although there are more.
They always hang out together.
The Northern Lights areusually green.
Younormally see them best in September or March.
It'soften cloudy.
What do you notice about the position of the adverbs?

They are usually before the main verb, or between the auxiliary and the main verb. But they come after the verb to be.

Excellent! Can they also be at the beginning or the end of the sentence?

Yes, I think so. ' Sometimes I'm alone.' That sounds OK.

Yes, we can use some adverbs of frequency at the beginning or end of a sentence for emphasis.
Occasionally I meet her for a coffee.
We can use usually, often, sometimes and occasionally at the beginning of a sentence, and sometimes and often at the end. We use adverb expressions like a lot or not + (very) much after the main verb too.

Be careful with never. It is already negative, so we can't use it with not.
I never go to the supermarket with my mother.
I've just remembered some more expressions! What about once a week, twice a year, etc.?

Oh yes, I'd forgotten about those.
Take the medicine three times a day.
Weusually go swimming twice a month.
You see themonce in a lifetime, if you travel.
You see, I'm not always annoying.

OK, sorry. I'm not always right either. Usually, but not always!

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Oliver and Alfie are at home when Daisy and Amy arrive. Sophie is in Hammerfest in northern Norway.

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ONLINE EXERCISE

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Online quiz to test your understanding of English adverbs of frequency. This is a free multiple-choice quiz that you can do online or print out. For ESL learners.

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Adverbs of Frequency in English | Grammar Lesson

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PRACTICE QUIZ

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CLASSROOM

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this and these

We use this (singular) and these (plural) as pronouns:

to talk about people or things near us:

to begin a conversation on the phone:

Hello, this is David. Can I speak to Sally?

that and those

We use that (singular) and those (plural) as pronouns to talk about things that are not near us:

What's that?
Those are very expensive shoes.
This is our house, andthat's Rebecca's house over there.

We also use that to reply to something someone has said:

'Shall we go to the cinema?' 'Yes, that's a good idea.'
'I've got a new job.' 'That's great.'
'I'm very tired.' 'Why is that?'

With nouns

We can also use this, these, that and those with .We use this and these for people or things near us:

and that and those for people or things that are not near us:

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Learn about the demonstratives this, these, that and those and do the exercises to practise using them.

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Demonstratives: this, that, these, those - grammar exercises. Demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative adjectives exercises.

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this, that, these, those in English - Exercise

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Grammar Quiz - This / That / These / Those