Grammar
Adverbs of frequency: always, usually, and never
A friend asks about your morning routine. You can say, "I usually make coffee before work." Usually tells the listener how often the routine happens.
Place common adverbs of frequency in the right position to describe how often an action or situation happens.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
I usually take the bus to work. /aɪ ˈjuː.ʒu.ə.li teɪk ðə bʌs tə wɜːk/
The short answer
Put an adverb of frequency before the main verb, but after be. Put it after the first helping verb when a sentence has one. Use never without another negative word.
I usually take the bus to work.
Why it works: Usually comes before the main verb take.
5 more examples
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I always check the weather before I leave home.
Always comes before the ordinary main verb check.
Not this:I check the weather
every morning. What changes: Every morning is a time phrase at the end. Always is an adverb placed before the main verb. -
The meeting is usually short.
Usually comes after the verb is.
Not this:The meeting
usually endsat ten. What changes: Usually comes before ends because ends is the main verb. It comes after is when be is the verb. -
We often cook dinner at home.
Often comes before the main verb cook.
Not this:We cook dinner at home
on Fridays. What changes: On Fridays gives a regular time. Often gives a general idea of frequency. -
She can sometimes work from home.
Sometimes follows the helping verb can and comes before the main verb work.
Not this:She
sometimes worksfrom home. What changes: Without can, sometimes goes before the present simple verb works. -
They have never missed the last train.
Never follows have, the first helping verb in this present perfect sentence.
Not this:They
do not often missthe last train. What changes: Never already has a negative meaning. Do not add not before never in a standard sentence.
Read the full guide
Start by finding the verb. In an ordinary present simple sentence, put always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, or never before the main verb. If the sentence uses am, is, or are, put the adverb after be instead.
Choose a word that matches the frequency
Choose the word by meaning first. Always means every time, usually means most times, often means many times, sometimes means on some occasions, rarely means not often, and never means at no time. These words give a general picture rather than a number.
I sometimes meet friends after work.
Sometimes says that the meetings happen on some days, but it does not say exactly how many days.
Put the adverb before a main verb
In a present simple sentence with an ordinary verb, put the frequency adverb before that verb. This pattern works with verbs such as work, eat, call, and travel.
My neighbor often walks to the station.
Often comes before walks. The subject, My neighbor, stays at the beginning of the sentence.
Put the adverb after be
When am, is, or are is the verb, put the frequency adverb after it. This is different from the usual main-verb pattern.
Our manager is always polite.
Is comes first, then always. Do not place always before is in this ordinary statement.
Place the adverb after a helping verb
With can, will, have, or another helping verb, put the frequency adverb after the first helping verb. The main verb follows the adverb.
You can usually find a seat after nine.
Can is the helping verb, so usually follows can and comes before find.
Use never without another negative
Never already makes the meaning negative. In standard English, do not add do not, does not, or did not before never in the same basic sentence.
He never forgets his keys.
He does not forget his keys has a similar negative meaning, but it does not include never.
Where does usually go in a question that starts with Do you?
Put usually after the subject: Do you usually eat breakfast?
Before you go
Remember this
Put a frequency adverb before an ordinary main verb and after be. With a helping verb, put it after the first helping verb. Use never as the negative word itself, and use a time phrase when you need to say exactly when something happens.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Adverbs of frequency: always, usually, and never"
What are adverbs of frequency?
Adverbs of frequency describe how often an action or situation happens. Common examples are always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, and never. They give a general idea of frequency rather than an exact count.
I always check the weather before I leave home.
Where does usually go in a sentence?
Usually goes before an ordinary main verb, as in a routine sentence about eating, working, or travelling. It comes after be, so use the pattern is usually or are usually when be is the verb.
I check the weather every morning.
Where does an adverb of frequency go with be?
Put the adverb after am, is, or are. This placement is different from the placement before an ordinary main verb. It helps to find the verb before you choose the position.
The meeting is usually short.
Can I use an adverb of frequency with can or have?
Yes. Put the adverb after the first helping verb and before the main verb. This works with common helpers such as can and have, and it keeps the sentence order clear.
The meeting usually ends at ten.
Why should I not use not with never?
Never already has a negative meaning. In a standard sentence, do not add another negative word before it. Choose never by itself, or use not with another frequency expression if that is the meaning you need.
We often cook dinner at home.