Adverbs of Frequency Exercises
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Adverbs of frequency
An adverb of frequency says how often something happens. Its place in a sentence depends on the verb.
- Meaning:
- Always means every time; never means zero times.
- Main verb:
- Put the adverb before most main verbs: I often walk.
- Be:
- Put the adverb after am, is or are: She is often late.
- Questions:
- How often asks about frequency: How often do you walk?
Examples
I always eat breakfast.
Always means every time.
She usually walks to school.
Usually means on most days.
We sometimes play outside.
Sometimes means on some days.
He is never late.
Put never after is.
They often read books.
Put often before the main verb.
Practice exercises
Choose the correct answer
Select the option that completes the sentence.
1.I ___ brush my teeth before bed. (every night)
2.He ___ plays football on Saturdays. (most Saturdays)
3.They ___ eat at this café. (many times)
4.She is ___ late. (on no occasions)
5.They are ___ busy on Fridays. (most Fridays)
Fill the gaps
Type the missing word or words.
Put the words in order
Click the parts in the correct order.
10. Build the sentence:
11. Build the sentence:
12. Build the sentence:
13. Build the sentence:
Right or wrong?
Decide whether each sentence is correct.
14.We never go to the cinema. (on some occasions)
15.I rarely visit the museum. (almost never)
16.We never walk to school. (every school day)
17.The shop is never open on Sundays. (no Sundays)
How often? Meaning and word order
Always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely and never form a scale from every time to no time. Choose an adverb that matches the frequency described by the sentence.
Word order matters. Before an ordinary verb, say I often walk. With be, say I am often tired. Do not place an adverb in the same position for every verb.
The exercises above mix meaning and sentence position. Read any frequency clue in brackets, then check whether the sentence contains be or another main verb.
Frequently asked questions
Where does an adverb of frequency go?
It usually goes before the main verb but after a form of be.
What is the difference between always and never?
Always means every time; never means at no time.
How do I ask about frequency?
Use how often: How often do you study English?
Answer key
1. I ___ brush my teeth before bed. (every night)
Answer: always
Always means every time.
2. He ___ plays football on Saturdays. (most Saturdays)
Answer: usually
Usually means on most occasions.
3. They ___ eat at this café. (many times)
Answer: often
Often means frequently.
4. She is ___ late. (on no occasions)
Answer: never
With be, a frequency adverb follows the verb: is never.
5. They are ___ busy on Fridays. (most Fridays)
Answer: usually
With be, put usually after are.
6. She ___ drinks coffee. (not on any day)
Answer: never
Never means at no time.
7. They ___ at home on Saturdays. (use never; be)
Answer: are never
Place never after are in the usual neutral order.
8. He ___ watch TV. (not at all; present simple)
Answer: doesn't
Doesn't + base verb forms a present simple negative.
9. He ___ forgets birthdays. (zero times)
Answer: never
Never already expresses a negative meaning.
10. to school. / I usually / walk
Answer: I usually walk to school.
Usually goes before the main verb.
11. never late / She is / on Mondays.
Answer: She is never late on Mondays.
Never follows is.
12. often play / They / outside.
Answer: They often play outside.
Often goes before play.
13. is always / My brother / happy.
Answer: My brother is always happy.
Always follows is.
14. We never go to the cinema. (on some occasions)
Answer: False
Sometimes means on some occasions. Correct: We sometimes go to the cinema.
15. I rarely visit the museum. (almost never)
Answer: True
Rarely means not often.
16. We never walk to school. (every school day)
Answer: False
Always is the high-frequency choice. Correct: We always walk to school.
17. The shop is never open on Sundays. (no Sundays)
Answer: True
Never expresses zero frequency and follows is.