Adverbs of Frequency in English: Position and Usage

Adverbs of Frequency

Adverbs of frequency tell us how often something happens: always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never.

Position in a sentence

With the verb “to be”: after the verb. Example: He is always late.

With other verbs: before the verb. Example: She often reads books. I never eat meat.

In compound tenses: after the auxiliary. Example: I have never been to London.

Order of frequency (highest to lowest)

Always (100%) → Usually (90%) → Often (70%) → Sometimes (50%) → Occasionally (30%) → Rarely (5%) → Never (0%)

Exercise

Put the adverb in the correct position:

1. I get up early. (always)
2. She is late. (never)

See Wh-Questions and Simple Past vs Past Continuous.