Adverbs of Frequency
Adverbs of Frequency are Adverbs of Time that answer the question "How frequently?" or "How often?". They tell us how often something happens. Here are some
examples:
- daily, weekly, yearly
- often, sometimes, rarely
You probably see a differencebetween a) and b) above. With words like daily we know exactly how
often. The words in a) describe definite frequency. On the other hand, words like often give us an idea about frequency but they don't tell us exactly. The words in b)
describe indefinite frequency.
We separate them into two groups because they normally go in different positions in the sentence.
Adverbs of definite frequency
Examples:
- hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly
- every second, once a minute, twice a year
- once, twice, once or twice, three times
Adverbs of definite frequency, like all adverbs of definite time, typically go in END position. Look at these examples:
- Most companies pay taxes yearly.
- The manager checks the toilets every hour.
- The directors meet weekly to review progress.
Sometimes, usually for reasons of emphasis or style, some adverbs of definite frequency may go at the FRONT, for example:
Every day, more than five thousand people die on our roads.
Adverbs of indefinite frequency
Examples: never, seldom, sometimes, often, always
Adverbs of indefinite frequency mainly go in MID position in the sentence. They go before the
main verb (except the main verb "to be"):
- We usually go shopping on Saturday.
- I have often done that.
- She is always late.
Occasionally, sometimes, often, frequently and usually can also go at the beginning or end of a sentence:
- Sometimes they come and stay with us.
- I play tennis occasionally.
Rarely and seldom can also go at the end of a sentence (often with "very"):
- We see them rarely.
- John eats meat very seldom.
Adverbs of Time List
List of common single-word time adverbs
Points of time
(definite)
now
then
today
tomorrow
tonight
yesterday
Frequency
(definite):
annually
daily
fortnightly
hourly
monthly
nightly
quarterly
weekly
yearly
NOTE: The word "bimonthly" is ambiguous and best avoided. Bimonthly can mean "twice a month" or "every two months".
The same is true of "biyearly"
/ "biannually".
Frequency
(indefinite):
always
constantly
ever
frequently
generally
infrequently
never
normally
occasionally
often
rarely
regularly
seldom
sometimes
regularly
usually
Relationships in time
(indefinite):
already
before
early
earlier
eventually
finally
first
formerly
just
last
late
later
lately
next
previously
recently
since
soon
still
yet
ACTIVITIES:
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/adverbs-frequency_quiz.htm
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/word-order/exercises?11
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/adjectives_adverbs/adverbs_of_frequency.htm
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/adjectives_adverbs/adverbs_of_frequency1.htm