1. Adverbs of Frequency
Grammar Sense 1
Chapter 10

2. Common Adverbs of Frequency
100% always (positive)
almost always (positive)
usually, generally (positive)
frequently, often (positive)
sometimes, occasionally (positive)
rarely, seldom (negative)
almost never, hardly ever (negative)
0% never (negative)

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Adverbs of Frequency: Affirmative/Negative Statements with Be
I am always late.
She is seldom late.
We are never late.
I generally am not late.
She usually isn’t late.
We usually aren’t 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.

7. Affirmative/Negative Statements with Other Verbs
I always walk home.
She always walks home.
We seldom walk home.
I generally don’t walk home.
She usually doesn’t walk home.
We usually don’t walk 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.