Adverbs of Frequency
Adverbs of frequency are used to describe how frequently or how often someone does something.
Grammatical Structure for Adverbs of Frequency:
before the main verb
Adverb of frequency | Verb | |||
I | always | get up | at 6.45. | |
Peter | can | usually | play | football on Sundays. |
Mandy | has | sometimes | got | lots of homework. |
after a form of to be am, are, is (was, were)
Verb | Adverb of frequency | ||
Susan | is | never | late. |
The adverbs often, usually, sometimes and occasionally can go at the beginning of a sentence.
Sometimes I go swimming.
Often we surf the internet.
Sometimes these adverbs are put at the end of the sentence.
We read books occasionally.
Adverbs of frequency can be divided into two different groups Definite Frequency and Indefinite Frequency
Definite Frequency:
For definite frequency we know exactly how often something takes place
Examples:
- Hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly
- every second, once a minute, twice a year
- once, twice, once or twice, three times
Adverbs of definite frequency, will usually go after the verb in a sentence for example:
- Most companies pay taxes yearly
- The manager checks the toilet every hour,
- The directors meet weekly to review progress
Indefinite Frequency
For indefinite frequency we are usually unsure of when the event takes places
Examples:
- never, seldom, often, always
Adverbs of indefinite frequency will generally go before the main verb:
- We usually go shopping on Saturday.
- I have often done that.
- She is always late.
Occasionally, sometimes, often, frequently and usually can also go at the beginning or end of a sentence:
Rarely and seldom can also go at the end of a sentence (often with “very”):
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Adverbs of frequency Exercises