Adverbs of Frequency LIST (+ Examples Sentences)

• 100% – ALWAYS

Example: I always arrive on time.

• 80% – USUALLY

Example: I usually take the bus to school but sometimes I walk.

• 60% – OFTEN

Example: They often went to the beach in summer.

• 50% – SOMETIMES

Example: I sometimes have cake after dinner.

• 30% – OCCASIONALLY

Example: We occasionally meet for a drink after work.

• 5% – RARELY/HARDLY EVER

Example: I hardly ever go to the cinema.

• 0% – NEVER

Example: I never drink vodka.

What is an adverb of frequency?

An adverb is a word that modifies (describes) a verb (he talks loudly), an adjective (very small).

So….

An adverb of frequency shows how often something happens. It modifies the verb to show how frequent something happens. 

When to use adverbs of frequency

We use adverbs of frequency when we want to show how often something happens.

The position of the adverb of frequency is usually before the main verb of the sentence

Subject + adverb + verb

I                always    brush

This is true for all verbs except the verb to be. The adverb of frequency comes after the verb to be.

Subject+verb +adverb

He                 is       always late. 

When there are two verbs in a sentence(with auxiliary and modal verbs), then the adverb of frequency comes between the two verbs. 

Subject + verb + adverb + main verb

I have always loved you.

We can also use the following adverbs at the start of a sentence:

Usually, normally, often, frequently, sometimes, occasionally

Usually,  I eat dinner alone.

But we can’t use the following at the beginning of a sentence:

Always, seldom, rarely, hardly, ever, never

How do you make questions with adverbs of frequency?

The same rules apply for questions except you need to invert the subject and the verb like in all questions.

Why are you always late?

Why did you sometimes stay after school?

Adverbs of frequency – The Present Simple

We often use adverbs of frequency with the present simple because we say how often a habit happens. We use the present simple for habits. 

I sometimes eat cereal for breakfast. 

I hardly ever eat steak for dinner.

Adverb of frequency and degree- What is the difference?

An adverb of frequency shows how often something happens.

An adverb of degree shows how much something happens

Let’s look at some example sentences:

Adverbs of frequency

I always brush my teeth before bed.

I never play football. 

Adverbs of degree

I am extremely tired.

I am very good at football.

Adverb of definite or indefinite frequency

All of the examples above are adverbs of indefinite frequency. They do not mention a specific amount of times something happens. 

Adverbs of definite frequency give you a specific amount of frequency that something happens.

Here are some examples:

• every day
• twice a month
• once a year
• five times a day
• every other week
• daily
• weekly 
• monthly

Example sentences:

I go to the gym twice a week.

I eat dinner in a restaurant once a month.

There is a monthly meeting on the first Friday of every month.

I exercise daily.

Adverbs of definite frequency usually come at the end of the sentence. 

Full list of adverbs of frequency 

Always – 100%

Annually – once a year 

Constantly – 95%

Daily – once a day

Eventually – after a long time  

Ever – used in questions

Frequently – 70%

Generally – 60%

Hardly ever -10%

Hourly – once an hour

Infrequently – 10%

Later –  after a short time

Monthly – once a month

Never – 0%

Next – after what is happening now

Nightly – once a night

Normally – 70%

Now – at this moment

Occasionally – 30% 

Often – 60%

Quarterly – every 3 months 

Rarely – 10% 

Regularly – 70%

Seldom – 10%

Sometimes – 50%

Soon – the near future  

Today – this day 

Tonight – this night

Weekly – once a week

Yearly – once a year