Adverb of Frequency

Adverbs of Frequency state how frequently or how often something happens. Adverbs of Frequency are divided into two groups; they are adverbs of definite frequency and adverbs of indefinite frequency.

A. Adverb of Definite Frequency

Adverbs of definite frequency tell us about the definite or certain time frequency; we know exactly how often something takes place. Adverbs of definite frequency among others are: hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly/ annually, every second, every day/ every other day, every morning, every Sunday, every week, every month, every year, once a minute, twice a day, three times a week, etc.

Adverbs of definite frequency are commonly placed at the beginning or the end of a sentence, not in the middle.

Examples:

• She does her duty daily.
• The meeting is conducted annually.
• We go to our favorite beach every Sunday.
• Every month they come here.
• Twice a day I take a bath.

Note:

The placement of adverb of definite frequency at the beginning of a sentence is meant to give an emphasis to the frequency of an action.

B. Adverb of indefinite frequency

Adverbs of indefinite frequency tell us about uncertain frequency; they don’t state the exact frequency of an action. The words among others are:

1. Always;
2. constantly, habitually, chiefly, predominantly, typically, continuously;
3. usually, normally, mostly, generally, commonly, largely, regularly, routinely;
4. often, frequently, repeatedly;
5. sometimes, occasionally, sporadically, spasmodically;
6. rarely, infrequently, seldom, hardly ever;
7. never.

The words above have been grouped into their level of frequency. Seldom, rarely, never and hardly ever are considered to have negative meanings.

Position

Adverbs of indefinite frequency can be placed at various places, but mostly in the middle of a sentence. See the detail below!

1. Before the main verbs

Examples:

• She always wakes up early in the morning.
• I will always love you.
• We have never met him before.
• He can usually accompany me shopping on Sunday.
• I don’t often visit her.
• Do you regularly take exercise?
• They sometimes go to work by bus.

2. After present and past be

Examples:

• She is typically calm.
• They are hardly ever late.
• It is never snowy here.
• He was always on time when he was young.

3. Occasionally, sometimes, often, frequently and usually can also be put at the beginning or end of a sentence. When they are placed at the front position, the writer or speaker wants to make them stronger.

Examples:

• Sometimes I write a poem.
• Usually she cooks for dinner.
• Frequently she gives me some hard questions to answer.
• This road is not used very often.
• They go to the cinema occasinally.

4. Rarely and seldom can be placed at the end of a sentence, they usually require very or quite.

Examples:

• I call him quite rarely.
• She cleans her house very seldom.

Imperative Sentences

To make an imperative sentence, you can put always or never at the beginning of the sentence and is followed with a verb base.

Examples:

• Always come on time!
• Never be late!

To see the complete discussion on Adverb (Kind of Adverbs) just click here!