FREQUENCY ADVERBS EXPLANATION CHART
This chart clearly explains the use of the adverbs of frequency with great examples. The adverbs of frequency are mainly used with the simple present tense.
 | Frequency adverbs usually occur in the middle of a sentence and have special positions, as shown in examples (a) through (e) below. The adverbs with the symbol “t” may also occur at the beginning or end of a sentence. I sometimes get up at 6:30. Sometimes I get up at 6:30. I get up at 6:30 sometimes. |
| SUBJECT + FREQ ADV + VERB (a) Natali always tells the truth. | Frequency adverbs usually come between the subject and the simple present verb (except main verb be). |
| SUBJECT + BE + FREQ ADV (b) Natali is always on time. | Frequency adverbs follow be in the simple present {am, is, are) and simple past (was, were). |
| (c) Do you always drink water? | In a question, frequency adverbs come directly after the subject. |
| (d) Kate usually doesn’t drink water. (e) Chang doesn’t always drink water. | In a negative sentence, most frequency adverbs come in front of a negative verb (except always and ever). Always follows a negative helping verb or negative be. |
| (f) CORRECT: Kate never eats bread. (g) INCORRECT: Kate doesn’t never eat meat. | Negative adverbs (seldom, rarely, hardly ever, never) are NOT used with a negative verb. |
| (h) — Do you ever ride a bike to work? — Yes, I do. I often ride the bike. (i) I don’t ever ride the bike to work. (j) INCORRECT: I ever ride the bike to work. | Ever is used in questions about frequency, as in (h). It means “at any time.” Ever is also used with not, as in (i). Ever is NOT used in statements. |
Download “Adverbs of Frequency Explanation Chart” in PDF.
Download “Adverbs of Frequency Explanation Exercises” in PDF
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