Transcript Common Adverbs of Frequency

Adverbs of
Frequency
Grammar Sense 1
Chapter 10
Common Adverbs of Frequency
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always (positive)
almost always (positive)
usually, generally (positive)
frequently, often (positive)
sometimes, occasionally (positive)
rarely, seldom (negative)
almost never, hardly ever (negative)
never (negative)
Frequency Expressions
We can use other frequency expressions such as
all the time
some of the time
once in a while
These frequency expressions usually go at the end of the sentence.
Examples:
I am always busy. = I am busy all the time.
She sometimes walks to work. = She walks to work some
of the time.
They occasionally visit me. = They visit me once in a
while.
Expressing Opposites
These adverbs of frequency have opposite meanings.
Always/Never
He always tells the truth. He never lies.
Almost Always/Almost Never
We almost always bring our lunches. We almost never eat in
a restaurant.
Frequently, Often/Seldom, Rarely
I frequently/often go out on weekends. I seldom/rarely stay
home on weekends.
Using Ever
Ever means “at any time.” We use ever in negative statements
and in yes/no questions. We also use ever in certain affirmative
statements, for example, with hardly.
Examples:
I don’t ever work on weekends. (negative)
We hardly ever walk to work. (affirmative)
Do you ever go fishing? (yes/no question)
We can use an adverb of frequency to answer a question with Do
you ever…?, but it is not necessary.
Do you ever study until midnight? Yes, I do.
or
I sometimes do.
Adverbs of Frequency:
Affirmative/Negative Statements
with Be
I
She
We
I
She
We
am
is
are
generally
usually
usually
always
seldom
never
am not
isn’t
aren’t
late.
late.
late.
late.
late.
late.
In affirmative statements, adverbs of frequency come after the verb be.
In negative statements, most adverbs of frequency come before be + not.
Always comes after be + not. Example: She isn’t always late.
Affirmative/Negative
Statements with Other Verbs
I
She
We
always
always
seldom
walk
walks
walk
home.
home.
home.
I
She
We
generally
usually
usually
don’t walk
doesn’t walk
don’t walk
home.
home.
home.
In affirmative statements, adverbs of frequency come before other verbs.
In negative statements, most adverbs of frequency come before do + not.
Always comes after do + not. Example: She doesn’t always eat lunch.
Yes/No Questions with Be and
Short Answers
Is he always happy? Yes.
Yes, he is.
Yes, he generally is.
Do you usually exercise? No.
No, I don’t.
No, I never do.
In yes/no questions and short answers, adverbs
of frequency come after the subject.
Notes on Adverbs of Frequency

Use adverbs of frequency to say how often
something happens.

Do not use negative adverbs of frequency in
negative statements.
correct: We rarely eat lunch.
incorrect: We don’t rarely eat lunch.

Frequently, usually, generally, sometimes, and
occasionally can also come at the beginning or end
of a sentence.
Sometimes I’m late.
I don’t eat lunch usually.