always / sometimes / never

Adverbs of frequency

Adverbs of frequency: always / sometimes / never

Always, sometimes and never are adverbs of frequency. They tell us how often an action happens.

  • I always get up before 8 a.m.
  • She sometimes goes swimming.
  • We never eat meat.

Adverbs of frequency include:

0%
 never
|
 hardly ever
|
 sometimes
|
 often
|
 usually
100%
 always

Adverbs of frequency go before the verb in a sentence.

  • We often go to the beach on Saturdays.
    NOT: We go often to the beach on Saturdays.

Adverbs of frequency go after the verb to be.

  • He is always interesting.
    NOT: He always is interesting.

1. Adverbs of frequency.

Look at the examples.

Astronauts usually work for about 16 hours a day.
Space shuttle crews are usually in space for about two or three weeks.
Food doesn't usually need preparation.
Astronauts never have a shower in space.

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

Drag the adverbs of frequency to the correct place on the line below. Never and usually have been done for you as examples.

For more information about adverbs of frequency see the Grammar Reference.

2. Word order.

Put the adverbs of frequency in the correct place in the sentence.

3. Can you remember?

Where do we usually put adverbs of frequency? Choose the correct explanation.

4. Adverbs of frequency.

Choose the correct adverb of frequency to make the sentences correct.

5. Facts.

Can you remember the facts from the previous exercise? Write in the missing adverbs.

6. Correct or incorrect?

Play the casino game. Decide if each sentence is grammatically correct or incorrect.

  • You start with 20 points.
  • Decide how many points you want to bet.
  • When you are correct, you win double the points.
  • When you are incorrect, you lose the points.

How many points can you win?