- Adverbs of frequency describe how often an action occurs.
- Common examples include always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, and never.
- They are typically placed between the subject and verb, except with the verb to be, which adverbs of frequency typically follow.
- They are placed between a modal/auxiliary verb and the main verb.
- Adverbs of definite frequency specify the period between repetitions of an action (e.g., daily), while adverbs of indefinite frequency give a general sense of the frequency (e.g., often).
Mastering English requires effective expression of how often something happens. Adverbs like always, usually, sometimes, and never are key tools for conveying how often repeated events occur. This guide explores their definitions, applications, and examples, clarifying their everyday use to help you understand how to use frequency adverbs to enhance your conversation and writing fluency.
What are adverbs of frequency?
Adverbs of frequency are a type of adverb of time. They answer the question, “How often?”
Types of adverbs of frequency
Indefinite frequency—does not specify exact intervals
- Examples: always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never
Definite frequency—specifies exact intervals
- Examples: daily, weekly, monthly, yearly.
Common adverbs of frequency and their usage
| Adverb of Frequency | Meaning | Example Sentence |
| Always | 100% of the time | She always wakes up at 6 a.m. |
| Constantly | Very frequently | He constantly checks his phone. |
| Regularly | At set intervals | She regularly attends yoga classes. |
| Usually | Almost every time (90%) | He usually drinks coffee in the morning. |
| Frequently | Often but not always | We frequently visit our grandparents. |
| Often | Many times (70%) | They often go to the library on weekends. |
| Sometimes | Occasionally (50%) | We sometimes eat out instead of cooking. |
| Occasionally | Less frequently than sometimes (30%–40%) | She occasionally visits her grandparents. |
| From time to time | Every now and then | He plays the piano from time to time. |
| Now and then | Once in a while | We go hiking now and then. |
| Rarely | Hardly ever (10%) | I rarely watch TV. |
| Seldom | Almost never (5%–10%) | They seldom go to the beach in winter. |
| Hardly ever | Extremely rarely | She hardly ever eats fast food. |
| Never | 0% of the time | He never smokes. |
| Daily | Every day | I exercise daily to stay healthy. |
| Every day | Each day | She studies English every day. |
| Weekly | Every week | We have a team meeting weekly. |
| Every week | Each week | They go grocery shopping every week. |
| Biweekly | Every two weeks | She gets paid biweekly. |
| Monthly | Every month | She pays her bills monthly. |
| Every month | Each month | We receive a newsletter every month. |
| Quarterly | Every three months | The company releases reports quarterly. |
| Annually | Every year | We celebrate this festival annually. |
| Yearly | Every year | They travel abroad yearly. |
Placement of adverbs of frequency in sentences
Between the subject and verb
For most verbs, the adverb of frequency appears between the subject and the verb.
Example: She often reads before bed.
After the verb to be
When to be is the main verb, the adverb of frequency follows it.
Example: They are always punctual.
Between auxiliary/modal verb and main verb
If the sentence includes an auxiliary or a modal verb, the adverb of frequency comes between it and the main verb.
Example: He can usually attend the meetings.
