1 of 11

Grammar Lesson

Adverbs of frequency

always usually often sometimes hardly ever never

2 of 11

Adverbs of frequency

We use frequency adverbs to describe how often something happens.

always

sometimes

usually

often

hardly

ever

never

3 of 11

Adverbs of frequency are often used with the present simple tense because they indicate repeated or routine activities.

4 of 11

The following chart shows the relative frequencies of these adverbs.

always

​

usually

​

often

​

sometimes

​

hardly ever

​

never

​

5 of 11

adverbs usually come:

  • after the verb “be”:

eg. Peter is never late for his swimming � lessons.

​

  • before any other verbs:

eg. Joan always goes shopping with � her friend, Pat.

Adverbs of frequency

6 of 11

  • after do not/don’t/does not/ doesn’t in a negative sentence

​

eg. Pat doesn’t often play online � games.

7 of 11

Note (Adverbs of frequency)

eg. Tiger never plays golf now.

Don’t use with “not”

  • Hardly ever and never are negative adverbs.

8 of 11

  • We can also put sometimes, usually, and often at the beginning of a sentence.

eg. Sometimes, Tiger drives his wife to work.

9 of 11

It’s time to practice

1. Joey __________ goes to the fun fair.

Fun fair

2. We are good students. We __________ greet � teachers.

never

always

always usually often sometimes hardly ever never

10 of 11

3. The children ______________ watch films � during the week.

Fri & Sun

sometimes

Mon, Fri & Sun

4. Bobby ____________ plays football during � the week.

often

always usually often sometimes hardly ever never

11 of 11

5. We ___________ brush our teeth in the � morning.

always

6. Ray likes reading very much. � He ____________ goes to the library� during the week.

usually

every day

Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun

always usually often sometimes seldom never