اللغة الإنجليزية — Adverbs of Frequency: Always, Usually, Sometimes, Never — 1ثانوي — شعبة آداب — Algerian Curriculum

Adverbs of Frequency

Adverbs of frequency tell us how often something happens. They are essential for describing routines and habits. These adverbs are commonly tested in BAC exams, especially in writing tasks.

List of Adverbs of Frequency

• 100%: always – I always wake up early.
• 90%: usually – She usually takes the bus.
• 80%: normally/generally – We normally have lunch at home.
• 70%: often/frequently – He often visits his grandparents.
• 50%: sometimes – Sometimes I go to the gym.
• 30%: occasionally – We occasionally go to the cinema.
• 10%: seldom/rarely – She rarely eats fast food.
• 5%: hardly ever – He hardly ever watches TV.
• 0%: never – I never smoke.

Position in Sentences

1. With one verb (be): The adverb comes AFTER “be”.
Example: He is always late. / They are never at home.

2. With one verb (other verbs): The adverb comes BEFORE the verb.
Example: She always arrives on time. / I never eat meat.

3. With auxiliary verbs (can, must, have, will, etc.): The adverb comes BETWEEN the auxiliary and the main verb.
Example: I can always rely on my best friend. / She has never been to London.

4. Sometimes, usually, occasionally: Can also go at the BEGINNING or END of the sentence.
Example: Sometimes I walk to school. / I walk to school sometimes.

Questions with Adverbs of Frequency

• How often do you exercise?
• Do you always check your answers in the exam?
• Is he usually friendly to new students?

Examples

Example 1: I always brush my teeth before going to bed. (habit, position: before the verb)

Example 2: She is rarely absent from school. (frequency, position: after “be”)

Example 3: They have never tried traditional Algerian couscous. (with auxiliary “have”)

Example 4: We often play football after school on Fridays. (regular activity)

Example 5: Sometimes, my father cooks dinner for the family. (beginning of sentence)

Exercises

1. Put the adverb in the correct position: a) She is late for school. (never) b) They watch TV in the evening. (often) c) He has visited Paris. (always) d) I go to the library. (sometimes)
2. Rewrite the sentences using the given adverb: a) I eat breakfast. (always) b) She is happy. (usually) c) They go camping. (hardly ever)
3. Write 5 sentences about your daily routine using different adverbs of frequency.

Summary

Adverbs of frequency describe how often we do things. Their position depends on the verb: after “be”, before other main verbs, between auxiliary and main verb. “Sometimes” can also start a sentence.