Resources
Lecciones de gramáticaLecturasEjercicios de listeningFlash cardsFalsos amigos¿Cuál usar?SufijosPrefijosDiscover your levelBlogBlog
Adverbs of Frequency in English: Always, Usually, Often, Sometimes, Never
Always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, and never say how often something happens, and they have a fixed spot in the sentence.
Written by Bryan López, Profesor de inglés · Updated
Adverbs of frequency say how often something happens: always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, and never. Unlike many languages, they have a fixed position in the sentence: they almost always go right before the main verb, not at the end.
The frequency scale
Where they go in a sentence
Which ones can start a sentence
Usually, normally, sometimes, and occasionally can go at the beginning: "Sometimes I go to the gym." Always, never, rarely, and seldom are NOT used at the start of a sentence, they always go in the fixed position next to the verb.
Common mistakes with adverbs of frequency
In many languages, the frequency adverb can go almost anywhere in the sentence, including at the end. In English the position is much stricter: "I drink coffee always" is wrong, it has to be "I always drink coffee." Putting the adverb at the end of the sentence is the most common mistake with this topic.
Practice adverbs of frequency with real audio
Interactive exercises, real pronunciation, and the full lesson taught in English.
More examples of adverbs of frequency
- I usually wake up at 7am.
- She rarely eats fast food.
- We often go for a walk after dinner.
- He is never on time for meetings.
- They're always tired on Mondays.
A common word-order mistake
Incorrect
I drink coffee always.
Correct
I always drink coffee.
Asking 'how often' something happens
To ask about frequency, English uses the question word how often at the start of the question, not the adverb itself: "How often do you exercise?" not "How frequency do you exercise?" The answer usually includes one of the frequency adverbs or a specific frequency like "twice a week" or "every day": "I exercise three times a week." This is one of the most common ways frequency adverbs come up in real conversation, so it is worth practicing the question form as much as the adverbs themselves.
Other common frequency expressions
Besides the six main adverbs, English has other everyday expressions for frequency that go at the end of the sentence instead of before the verb: every day, once a week, twice a month, from time to time, and hardly ever (very close to never). "I go to the gym every day" and "I hardly ever eat sweets" are both common, natural ways to talk about how often something happens outside the fixed list of adverbs.
Adverbs of frequency in a real conversation
A: "How often do you go to the gym?" B: "I usually go three times a week, but I'm sometimes too tired after work." A: "I never have that problem, I always go in the morning before work starts." B: "That's smart, I should try that." A: "Same, honestly, I'm always more motivated in the morning too."
Frequently asked questions
What are the adverbs of frequency in English?
Always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely (or seldom), and never, from 100% frequency down to 0%.
Where do adverbs of frequency go in a sentence?
Right before the main verb in most cases: "She always drinks coffee."
Where do they go with the verb to be?
After to be, not before: "He is usually late," not "He usually is late."
Can they be used at the start of a sentence?
Only some of them: usually, normally, sometimes, and occasionally can. Always, never, rarely, and seldom are not used at the start.
What are some examples of adverbs of frequency?
"I always brush my teeth before bed." "She is never late." "They sometimes go to the beach on weekends."
Why can't you put the frequency adverb at the end in English?
Because English has a fixed position for these adverbs (before the main verb, or after to be/auxiliaries), unlike languages where the position is much more flexible.
How do you ask how often something happens?
With how often at the start of the question: "How often do you go to the gym?" The answer usually uses a frequency adverb or a phrase like "twice a week."
What's the difference between usually and often?
Usually (around 90%) is closer to always, it describes what normally happens. Often (around 70%) describes something that happens a lot but with more exceptions.
Is sometimes the same as usually?
No. Sometimes means around 50% of the time, an occasional occurrence. Usually means around 90%, something that happens almost every time.
What does 'hardly ever' mean?
It means almost never, very close in meaning to never but slightly less absolute: "I hardly ever watch TV" means you watch it very rarely.
Can you use two frequency adverbs in the same sentence?
It's unusual, but you can pair an adverb with a specific frequency for emphasis, like "She almost never eats out, maybe once a year." Stacking two adverbs together, such as "always usually," does not work.
Do adverbs of frequency go before or after modal verbs?
After the modal verb: "You should always check your email," "I can usually finish by noon." The pattern is the same as with other auxiliaries, the adverb goes right after the first helping verb.
Practice adverbs of frequency with real audio
Interactive exercises, real pronunciation, and the full lesson taught in English.
Keep learning
- Present Simple in English: Affirmative, Negative, and Questions (Full Guide)The tense for habits, routines, and general facts, with the rule almost everyone forgets: the -s on he/she/it.
- Wh Questions in English: What, Where, When, Who, Why, HowWh questions ask for specific information and always go at the start of the question.
- Present Simple vs. Present Continuous: Which One to Use and WhenPresent Simple is for habits and routines, Present Continuous is for what's happening right now.