English Grammar: Adverbs of Frequency

Adverbs of frequency show you how often something happens. This can be always = 100%, or never = 0%.

Adverbs of Frequency in English

Adverbs that change or qualify the meaning of a sentence by telling us how often or how frequently something happens are defined as adverbs of frequency …

– always – 100%

He always has sandwiches for his lunch.

– usually – 90%

The drive usually takes 15 or 20 minutes.

– generally – 80%

I generally get in to work by 8.00.

– frequently – 70%

He was frequently drunk.

– often – 70%

If you wash your hair too often, it can get too dry.

– sometimes – 50%

The journey takes an hour, sometimes even longer.

– occasionally – 30%

My stomach still bothers me occasionally.

– seldom – 10%

Karen had seldom seen him so angry.

– rarely – 5%

She very rarely complains.

– hardly ever – 5%

We hardly ever go out.

– never – 0%

He’s never been to Australia.

Positions of Adverbs of Frequency

– At the beginning of the sentence: occasionally, often, sometimes, usually

– At the end of the sentence: frequently, occasionally, sometimes

– Between the subject and the main verb: always, often, usually, seldom, rarely, never

– Immediately after the verb “to be”: always, often, usually, seldom, rarely, never

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