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🔁 Compendium
Grammar
EN
English — Adverbs of frequency
Adverbs of frequency say how often something happens. The common ones are always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never. They usually go in mid position: before the main verb (I always drink coffee) but after the verb be (She is never late).
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How it works
✓ Rule
Put the adverb before the main verb: I usually walk to work; They often play football. With the verb be, put it after: He is always busy; We are rarely at home. In questions and negatives with an auxiliary, it goes after the auxiliary: Do you often go there? / I don't often go there.
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Examples
| Adverb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| always | 100% — every time | I always drink coffee. |
| usually | most of the time | She usually walks to school. |
| often | many times | We often eat out. |
| sometimes | now and then | He sometimes works late. |
| rarely | almost never | They rarely watch TV. |
| never | 0% — not at any time | I never eat meat. |
| always (with be) | after the verb be | He is always on time. |
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Good to know
⚠ Note
To ask about frequency, use How often...? — How often do you exercise? Also, never and rarely are already negative, so don't add another not: say I never smoke, not I don't never smoke.