An adverb of frequency answers one question: how often? These words sit on a scale from things that happen all the time to things that never happen at all.
The frequency scale
English has a set of common frequency adverbs. They are not tied to exact numbers, but native speakers share a rough sense of where each one sits.
- always — every single time
- usually — almost every time
- often — many times, regularly
- sometimes — now and then
- occasionally — less often than sometimes
- rarely / seldom — almost never
- hardly ever — extremely close to never
- never — not once, at no time
Seldom is slightly more formal than rarely. In everyday speech and writing, rarely is more common.
Where to place them
The position of a frequency adverb depends on the verb it appears with. There are three core patterns.
Before the main verb
When the sentence has an ordinary verb (not be, not an auxiliary), the adverb goes between the subject and the verb.
After "be"
When be is the main verb, the adverb comes after it.
After the first auxiliary
When the sentence contains an auxiliary or a modal verb, the adverb sits between the first auxiliary and the main verb.
Flexible adverbs
A few frequency adverbs — sometimes, occasionally, and usually — are not locked into the middle of the sentence. They can also appear at the beginning or the end.
Moving the adverb to the front gives it slightly more emphasis. Moving it to the end makes it sound more casual.
Most other frequency adverbs — always, never, often, rarely, hardly ever — stay in the middle position in statements.
Always and never at the start
In ordinary statements, always and never do not begin the sentence. This is one of the most common word-order mistakes for learners.
There is one clear exception: imperatives. When you give a command or advice, always and never naturally come first.
Outside imperatives, keep them in the middle: She always checks her spelling, not Always she checks her spelling.
Multi-word frequency expressions
Not every answer to how often? is a single word. English uses short phrases built with once, twice, three times, and every.
- once a week
- twice a month
- three times a year
- every day
- every morning
- every summer
These phrases follow a different position rule: they go at the end of the sentence, or sometimes at the beginning for emphasis. They do not sit in the middle, between the subject and the verb.
Note the difference between the single word daily and the phrase every day — they mean the same thing, but every day is far more common in spoken English.
Common mistakes
Word order with ordinary verbs
Word order with "be"
Word order with auxiliaries
Always/never at the start of a statement
Multi-word expressions in the middle