Adverbs of Frequency: Always, Usually, Often, Never and Word Order

Adverbs of frequency answer the question How often? They are common with the present simple, because that tense talks about habits and routines, but they work with all tenses.

Think of them as a scale from 100 percent to zero: always, usually, often, sometimes, occasionally, rarely, hardly ever, never. Exact percentages are not important; the speaker's feeling is. Normally means the same as usually, and frequently is a more formal word for often.

This is the most important rule. One-word adverbs of frequency go before the main verb: She often walks to work. But with the verb be, they go after it: She is often tired.

When there is an auxiliary (have, will, can, must) the adverb goes after the first auxiliary and before the main verb: I have never tried sushi. You can always ask me. With two auxiliaries, it usually goes after the first one: She has often been asked that question.

Do not put these adverbs between a verb and its object: say I often eat pasta, not I eat often pasta. Read more about sentence order in English word order.

In questions, the adverb goes after the subject: Do you often go to the cinema? Is he usually this quiet? To ask about frequency in general, use How often: How often do you exercise? See question words for more How questions.

In negatives, the adverb usually comes after don't, doesn't or didn't: I don't usually work on Fridays. This is softer than I usually don't work on Fridays, which is also correct. Always after not means not every time: I don't always have time.

Never, rarely, seldom and hardly ever are already negative, so the verb stays positive: I never eat meat (not I don't never eat meat). In short answers, the adverb goes before the auxiliary: Do you smoke? No, I never do. Is she late? Yes, she always is.

Sometimes, usually, often, normally and occasionally can also go at the start of a sentence for emphasis or contrast: Sometimes I wake up at 4 a.m. Usually I take the bus, but today I walked. Sometimes and occasionally can also go at the end: I go to the gym sometimes.

Always, never, rarely and hardly ever do not normally go at the start of a sentence. If never or rarely does go first, in formal or literary English, the word order changes: Never have I seen such a mess. That is advanced inversion; at A2 level, just put them before the main verb.

Longer frequency phrases like every day, twice a week and once a month usually go at the end of the sentence, or sometimes at the start: I call my mum every day. Every summer we go camping.

We normally use adverbs of frequency with the present simple. But always, constantly and forever can go with the present continuous to complain about a habit that annoys us: He's always losing his keys! You're constantly checking your phone.

This pattern shows emotion. Compare He always loses his keys (a neutral fact) and He's always losing his keys (I find it annoying). It can also be positive when we are surprised: She's always helping other people.

People use frequency words all the time to talk about routines, hobbies and health: How often do you exercise? Not as often as I should. In casual speech you will hear all the time (very often), every now and then (sometimes) and once in a while (occasionally).

A good way to practise is to describe your week: what you always do, what you sometimes do, and what you never do. For ideas on building a learning habit, see daily English study routine. To describe how you do things, rather than how often, see adverbs of manner.