Adverbs of Frequency

How Often Do You Do Stuff?

Adverbs of frequency tell us how often something happens. They're the words that reveal whether you're a creature of habit or a complete chaos merchant. Master these and you'll sound like you actually have your life sorted (even if you don't).

The Frequency Scale (From Saint to Sinner):

Always (100%) - You're basically a robot
Usually/Generally (90%) - Pretty reliable
Often/Frequently (70%) - Most of the time
Sometimes (50%) - When you can be bothered
Occasionally (30%) - Once in a blue moon
Rarely/Seldom (10%) - Almost never
Never (0%) - Not in a million years

Position Rules (Where to Stick Them)

Verb Type	Position	Example
Main Verbs	Before the verb	I always drink coffee.
Verb "Be"	After the verb	She is never late.
Auxiliary Verbs	After auxiliary	I have often wondered.
Modal Verbs	After modal	You should always be honest.

Common Frequency Expressions

Longer Expressions (Usually at the End):

Every day/week/month: "I exercise every day." (You liar!)
Once/Twice a week: "I go shopping twice a week."
Three times a month: "We meet three times a month."
From time to time: "I visit my parents from time to time."
Now and then: "I eat chocolate now and then." (Every day)
All the time: "He complains all the time." (Annoying git)

Questions About Frequency

How to Ask:

"How often do you...?" - The standard question
"Do you ever...?" - Fishing for information
"How many times...?" - Want specific numbers

Sample Conversations:

A: "How often do you go to the gym?"
B: "I usually go three times a week." (Translation: Once if I'm lucky)
A: "Do you ever cook at home?"
B: "I sometimes cook on weekends." (Beans on toast counts, right?)

Negative Sentences

Positive	Negative	Meaning
I always eat breakfast.	I never eat breakfast.	Complete opposite
She usually arrives early.	She doesn't usually arrive early.	Opposite of usual
We often go out.	We don't often go out.	Not frequently
They sometimes call.	They don't often call.	Rarely happens

Don't Be a Numpty - Common Mistakes

❌ Wrong:

"I go always to work by bus" (Wrong position!)
"She is always not late" (Double negative disaster)
"How often times do you...?" (Mixing question forms)
"I never don't eat meat" (Confusing double negative)

✅ Right:

"I always go to work by bus" (Adverb before main verb)
"She is never late" (Use 'never' instead)
"How often do you...?" (Simple and clear)
"I never eat meat" (One negative is enough)

Emphasis and Exceptions

For Emphasis (Move to Front or End):

"Usually, I don't drink coffee" - Emphasizing the exception
"I don't drink coffee, usually" - Softening the statement
"Sometimes I wonder why I bother" - Dramatic effect

With "Do" for Emphasis:

"I do sometimes wonder..." (Really emphasizing)
"She does usually arrive on time..." (Defending someone)

Practice Exercises (How Often Do You Get These Right?)

Exercise 1: Put the Adverb in the Right Place

1. I (always) _____ my teeth before bed.

2. She is (never) _____ for meetings.

3. We have (often) _____ this problem.

4. You should (sometimes) _____ a break.

Exercise 2: Choose the Right Frequency Adverb

1. I _____ eat meat. (0% - I'm vegetarian)

2. She _____ arrives at 9 AM. (90% of the time)

3. We _____ go to the cinema. (50% of weekends)

4. He _____ complains about anything. (Very uncommon)

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Brilliant! Now you always know how to use frequency adverbs correctly!