Adverbs of frequency With the present simple, we often use adverbs of frequency to say ‘how often’ we do something. Here’s a list of common adverbs:
always frequently generally hardly ever
infrequently never normally
occasionally often rarely regularly seldom sometimes usually
The most common frequency adverbs in English are: Always 100% of the time Frequently about 90% of the time Usually about 80% of the time Often about 70% of the time Sometimes about 50% of the time Occasionally about 40% of the time Seldom about 20% of the time Rarely about 10% of the time Never about 00% of the time
Adverbs of Frequency always
siempre
usually
usualmente
often
frecuentemente
frequently
frecuentemente
sometimes
a veces
seldom
rara vez
never
nunca
everyday
todos los días
every + day every Thursday
todos los + día todos los jueves
on + day + "s" on Thursdays
los + día los jueves
once a month
una vez por mes
twice a month
dos veces por mes
three times a month
tres veces por mes
once a week
una vez por semana
twice a week
dos veces por semana
three times a week
tres veces por semana
We usually put these adverbs in the middle of the sentence, between the subject and the verb:
I often go to the cinema. She sometimes visits me at home. We usually drink coffee.
We can also put them at the very beginning or end of the sentence. This makes them stronger:
Often I go to the cinema. I go to the cinema often. But never: I go often to the cinema.
Here are some other expressions we can use to say ‘how often’. All of these longer phrases go at the beginning or the end of the sentence but not in the middle.
once in a while: I go to the cinema once in a while. every now and again: She drinks wine every now and again. from time to time: From time to time I visit my mother.
To say how often something happens, you can use a number or ‘several’ or ‘many’, followed by
‘times’.( If the number is one, use ‘once’ instead of ‘one time’. If the number is two use ‘twice’ instead of ‘two times’) Then add ‘a’ and a period of time:
I go to the cinema twice a week.
She take these tablets three times a day. I change the sheets once a fortnight (fortnight = two weeks). I meet him several times a year. I visit my parents once a month.
We can also use ‘every’ + period of time:
every morning every week every month every day every Tuesday A day of the week with ‘s’ at the end, for example ‘on Tuesdays’ means the same as ‘every Tuesday’:
I take a dance class on Wednesdays. I relax on Saturdays
Adverbs of Frequency We use adverbs of frequency to say how often we do things. Adverbs of frequency go before all verbs EXCEPT the verb to be. De menos a mas: Never – hardly ever – rarely (seldom) – sometimes – usually (often)- always Note 1: Remember that with never and hardly ever we use POSITIVE sentences. Example: - We don’t never smoke. (INCORRECT) - We never smoke. Note 2: With don’t and doesn’t we use the adverb of frequency after these and before the verb. Example: - We don’t usually travel. Note 3: Sometimes can go at the beginning of the sentence. (Sometimes puede ir al comienzo de una oración)
Adverbs of frequency always, usually, regularly, normally, often, sometimes, occasionally, rarely, seldom, never are adverbs of frequency. The position of these adverbs is: before the main verb
I
Adverb of frequency
Verb
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)
Susan
Verb
Adverb of frequency
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. Somtimes these adverbs are put at the end of the sentence. We read books occasionally.