Adverbs of frequency tell how often something happens: always, usually, often, sometimes, occasionally, rarely/seldom, hardly ever, never.
Use them to describe habits, routines, and repeated actions.
Quick Overview
| Adverb | Typical Frequency | Model sentence |
|---|
| always | ~100% | I always recycle on Mondays. |
| usually | ~90% | She is usually on time. |
| often | ~70% | We often read local news. |
| sometimes | ~50% | Sometimes, I take the bus. |
| occasionally | ~30% | They occasionally volunteer. |
| rarely / seldom | ~10–15% | He is rarely late. |
| hardly ever | ~5% | I hardly ever drive downtown. |
| never | 0% | We never litter. |
1) Word Order
A. With most verbs
Subject + adverb + main verb
I often walk to work. • They usually read the city website.
B. With be (am/is/are/was/were)
Subject + be + adverb
She is sometimes busy on Fridays. • We are usually early.
C. With auxiliaries and modals
Place the adverb after the first auxiliary/modal (have, be, can, will, should, etc.).
I have often volunteered. • You can usually report problems online. • He is always helping his neighbors.
D. Front or end position (for variety/emphasis)
Sometimes, I read the city website. • I read the city website sometimes.
Front position is common with sometimes and often in informal English.
2) Meaning & Special Uses
- never is already negative → do not add not: ✔️ I never skip class. ✖️ I don’t never…
- rarely / seldom / hardly ever also express a negative idea; don’t combine with not: ✔️ I rarely watch TV.
- always + present continuous can show annoyance: He is always arriving late.
- Use intensifiers with some adverbs: very often, quite often, almost always/never (but not ✖️ very always).
3) Questions & Short Answers
| Pattern | Examples |
|---|
| How often + do/does + subject + base verb? |
How often do you volunteer? — I usually volunteer on weekends. |
| How often + be + subject? |
How often are you late? — I’m rarely late. |
| Short answers echo the auxiliary |
Do you often read local news? — Yes, I do. / No, I don’t.
Have you often joined meetings? — Yes, I have. / No, I haven’t. |
Common Mistakes
- ✖️ She often is late. → ✔️ She is often late. (after be)
- ✖️ I don’t never recycle. → ✔️ I never recycle. / I hardly ever recycle.
- ✖️ You can help often. → ✔️ You can often help. (after the first modal)
- ✖️ very always → ✔️ very often / almost always
- Spelling: hardly ever (two words); seldom (not “selldom”).