Adverbs

Frequency

Usually and never are adverbs of frequency. They tell us how often an action happens.

• We usually wear casual clothes.
• We never go to the movies.

Adverbs of frequency include:

Adverbs of frequency go before the verb in a sentence.

• We often go to the opera.
  NOT: We go often to the opera.

Adverbs of frequency go after the verb to be.

• He is always happy.
  NOT: He always is happy.

Some adverbs of frequency can go at the beginning or the end of a sentence. These adverbs are normally, usually and sometimes.

• Normally he's happy to help.
• He's normally happy to help.
• He's happy to help normally.

Some adverbs of frequency cannot normally go at the beginning of a sentence. These adverbs are always, never and rarely.

• Always I go to work by bus.
• Never she watches TV.
• Rarely we visit them.

In a question, the adverb of frequency goes after the subject.

• Do you always go to work by bus?
• Are you normally so happy?
• What would you never do?