Describing and comparing, part 5 of 5

Adverbs of Frequency: Always, Usually, Often, Sometimes, Never

Always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, and never say how often: they go before the verb (I always walk) and after be (I am always late).

A1 · 12 minBefore:Present simple affirmative

The idea

What an adverb of frequency is

It says how often something happens, from always to never. It goes before the verb, but after be.

Before the verb. I often run.
After be. I am often busy.
In a question, after the subject. Do you often run?

When to use it

To talk about your routine, say how often you do something, and ask about it. These expressions go with it:

For your routine

I always get up early
I usually take the bus
I often work late

For what hardly happens

I rarely get sick
it never rains here
not very often

To ask

How often?
Do you ever...?
every day
once a week

Examples

Before the verb
I usually wake up at six.
After be
The bus is always full.
In a question
Do you often eat out?
In a negative
We don't usually watch TV.
Sometimes at the start
Sometimes I walk to work.

How to build it

3 steps

How often?Choose from always (100 %) to never (0 %):often
With a verb: before itBetween the subject and the verb:She often reads.
With be: after itAfter am, is, are:She is often busy.

With a verb

SubjectLuis
adverbrarely
verbdrives.

With be

SubjectLuis
am / is / areis
adverbrarely sick.

Question

Do / DoesDoes
subjectLuis
adverboften
verb ?drive?

The rule

How often

Adverb	About	Example
always	100 %	I always lock the door.
usually	90 %	I usually walk.
often	70 %	I often read at night.
sometimes	50 %	I sometimes cook.
rarely	10 %	I rarely drive.
never	0 %	I never smoke.

How to pronounce it

usually
/ˈjuʒuəli/
It starts with /ju/, and the s is /ʒ/.
often
/ˈɔfən/
The t is usually silent.

Check

Which one is right? Which one goes in the blank: Tom (blank) ?

Never and the negative

We never stay up late.

Never, with no don't

We don't stay up late.

Don't, with no never

Never already means no: it goes with no do not. The negative with don't is in the negatives lesson.

Present simple: negatives

In real life

To ask about frequency: How often...? Answer with an adverb (Usually.) or with every day, once a week.

Frequently asked questions

Can any of them go at the start?

Sometimes, usually, and often can: Sometimes I walk. Always and never rarely go at the start.

What about a negative sentence?

After don't or doesn't: I don't usually drive. Never does not go with don't.

What is How often?

The question about frequency: How often do you swim? Twice a week.

In short

From always (100 %) to never (0 %).
Before the verb: I usually walk.
After be: I am usually tired.
Question: Do you usually walk?

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