Adverbs of frequency tell us how often something happens. They range from 100% (always) to 0% (never).
Common Adverbs of Frequency
| Adverb | Frequency | Example | | ------------ | --------- | ------------------------------------------ | | always | 100% | The sun always rises in the east. | | usually | 90% | I usually drink coffee in the morning. | | often | 70% | We often visit our grandparents. | | sometimes | 50% | She sometimes works on weekends. | | occasionally | 30% | He occasionally goes to the gym. | | rarely | 10% | They rarely eat fast food. | | never | 0% | I never smoke. |
Placement Rules
Before the main verb (but after the verb "to be"):
- She always arrives on time.
- They often travel abroad.
- He is always happy.
- We are never late.
After the first auxiliary verb when using compound tenses:
- I have never been to Japan.
- She can always find the answer.
- They have usually finished by noon.
Expressions of Frequency
For more specific frequency, use expressions at the end or beginning:
- I go to the gym three times a week.
- Every day, she walks her dog.
- He calls me once a month.
Common Mistakes
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Incorrect: She goes always to the gym.
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Correct: She always goes to the gym.
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Incorrect: I never have seen that movie.
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Correct: I have never seen that movie.