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Adverbs of Frequency

This document discusses adverbs of frequency, which are adverbs that describe how often something occurs. It defines adverbs of frequency as adverbs that qualify a sentence by indicating how frequently an action takes place, either definitely as in weekly or indefinitely as in sometimes. Examples of common adverbs of frequency are given along with their percentage usage. Rules for using adverbs of frequency in sentences are provided, such as their placement before or after verbs. Finally, example sentences using different adverbs of frequency are given.

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238 views4 pages

Adverbs of Frequency

This document discusses adverbs of frequency, which are adverbs that describe how often something occurs. It defines adverbs of frequency as adverbs that qualify a sentence by indicating how frequently an action takes place, either definitely as in weekly or indefinitely as in sometimes. Examples of common adverbs of frequency are given along with their percentage usage. Rules for using adverbs of frequency in sentences are provided, such as their placement before or after verbs. Finally, example sentences using different adverbs of frequency are given.

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natalyluna
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Adverbs of frequency

What are adverbs of frequency?


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.

An adverb of frequency is exactly what it sounds like – an adverb of time. Adverbs of


frequency always describe how often something occurs, either in definite or indefinite
terms. An adverb that describes definite frequency is one such as weekly, daily, or
yearly. An adverb describing indefinite frequency doesn’t specify an exact time frame;
examples are sometimes, often, and rarely.

Adverbs of Frequency Rules


These simple rules for adverbs of frequency will help someone to use them correctly:

 Always use adverbs of frequency to discuss how often something happens.


 Adverbs of frequency are often used to indicate routine or repeated activities, so
they are often used with the present simple tense.
 If a sentence has only one verb, place the adverb of frequency in the middle of
the sentence so that it is positioned after the subject but before the verb. For
example: Tom never flies. He always takes the bus.
 When a sentence contains more than one verb, place the adverb of frequency
before the main verb. For example: They have often visited Europe.
 When using an adverb of frequency in the negative or in forming a question,
place it before the main verb. For example: Do you usually get up so late?

We use some adverbs to describe how frequently we do an activity, the common


adverbs that we usually use are:

Frequency Adverb of Frequency Example Sentence

100% always I always go to bed before 11 p.m.


90% usually I usually have cereal for breakfast.
80% normally / generally I normally go to the gym.
70% often* / frequently I often surf the internet.
50% sometimes I sometimes forget my wife's birthday.
30% occasionally I occasionally eat junk food.
10% seldom I seldom read the newspaper.
5% hardly ever / rarely I hardly ever drink alcohol.
0% never I never swim in the sea.
* Some people pronounce the 'T' in often but many others do not.
The Position of the Adverb in a Sentence
An adverb of frequency goes before a main verb (except with To Be).

Subject + adverb + main verb

I always remember to do my
homework.
He normally gets good marks in exams.

An adverb of frequency goes after the verb To Be.

Subject + to be + adverb

They are never pleased to see me.


She isn't usually bad tempered.

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.

Subject + auxiliary + adverb + main
verb

She can sometimes beat me in a race.
I would hardly ever be unkind to someone.
They might never see each other again.
They could occasionally be heard laughing.

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').

Examples of Adverbs of Frequency


Each sentence contains an example of an adverb of frequency; the examples are
italicized for easy identification.

a) The incubator turns each egg hourly.


b) We take a vacation at least once annually.
c) I usually shop for groceries on Saturday mornings.
d) He is often late for work.
e) We seldom see John.
f) My dentist told me I should floss twice daily.
Bibliography

Ginger. (25 de 01 de 2019). Ginger. Obtenido de Ginger:


https://www.gingersoftware.com/content/grammar-rules/adverb/adverbs-frequency/

Teens, L. E. (25 de 01 de 2019). British Council. Obtenido de British Council:


http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/grammar/beginner-grammar/adverbs-
frequency

Woodward. (25 de 01 de 2019). Woodward. Obtenido de Woodward:


https://www.grammar.cl/Basic/Adverbs_Frequency.htm

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