An adverb of frequency goes before a main verb (except with To Be). Subject + adverb + main verb. An adverb of frequency goes after the verb To Be. With the compound tenses (like the present continuous), the frequency adverb goes between the two verbs.
Read the following examples:
- Our father is usually at the office at 9.30 every day. (To Be: after)
- She always checks her emails first hour in the afternoon. (To Be: before)
| Frequency | Adverb of Frequency | Example Sentences (To Be) | Example Sentences (To Be) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100% | always | I always go to bed before 9 p.m. | I am always happy. |
| 90% | usually | I usually have cereal for breakfast. | She is usually studying. |
| 80% | normally / generally | I normally go to the gym. | I am normally tired. |
| 70% | often* / frequently | I often surf the internet. | He is often ready to play. |
| 50% | sometimes | I sometimes forget my wife's birthday. | We are sometimes crazy. |
| 30% | occasionally | I occasionally eat junk food. | They are occasionally glad to go there. |
| 10% | seldom | I seldom read the newspaper. | It is seldom clean. |
| 5% | hardly ever / rarely | I hardly ever drink wine. | The Kitty is hardly ever quiet. |
| 0% | never | I never swim in the river. | My computer is never free to use. |