Adverbs of frequency

Adverbs of frequency include words such as often, sometimes, hardly(ever), never, always, generally and rarely. We can represent them with a graph.

They usually go before the main verb, but after the verb to be.

We usually/normally/generally eat out once a week.

You're always busy.

My father often falls asleep with the TV on.

I rarely/hardly ever pay attention to what the teacher says.

It's common to put usually, generally, often and sometimes at the beginning of sentence for emphasis.

Usually, I just ignore her.

Sometimes, I take the bus instead of driving.

Expressions of frequency

Expressions of frequency can go at the beginning or the end of the sentence, but not in the middle.

Every day, I get asked about it.

I get asked about it every day.

Each month, I pay the bills.

I pay the bills each month.

Once a week, I go visit my parents.

I go visit my parents once a week.

Twice a year, we have a family vacation.

We have a family vacation twice a year.

Remember that we express frequency with the words once(1x), twice(2x), three times(rarely thrice), with each subsequent increase represented by '(number) times' (e.g. four times, fifty times, etc.).

Note: 'every day' and 'everyday' should not be confused. 'Every day' is a an expression of frequency, while 'everyday' is an adjective that means 'commonplace, typical'.

My grandfather eats icecream every day.

My everyday life is quite boring.

Questions with 'how often'

To ask about frequency, it's common to use how often ...? These questions can be answered with an adverb or expression of frequency.

How often do you have meetings?

I never have meetings. / I have meetings 5 times per day .