📘 Part of the Complete English Course · Elementary (A2), week 6
Adverbs of frequency say how often something happens. They usually go before the main verb, but after 'be'.
The rules
From always to never
| Adverb | About | Example |
|---|---|---|
| always | 100% | I always have breakfast. |
| usually | 90% | We usually go to the beach on Sundays. |
| often | 70% | She often works late. |
| sometimes | 50% | I sometimes play football. |
| hardly ever | 5% | He hardly ever drinks coffee. |
| never | 0% | I never eat fast food. |
Position
| Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| before the main verb | I usually walk to work. |
| after be | She's always late. |
| questions | Do you often go out? How often do you exercise? |
Remember
- How often…? asks about frequency: How often do you go to the gym?
- Longer expressions go at the end: once a week, twice a month, every day.
- 'Sometimes' can also go at the start: Sometimes I work on Saturdays.
- Don't use 'never' with a negative verb: I never go (not 'I don't never go').
Listen and repeat
- How often do you go to the gym? About twice a week.
- I usually spend the weekend with my family.
- We hardly ever watch TV these days.
- My neighbour is always friendly.
Common mistakes
| Not this | Say this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| I always go to work by bus. | Before the main verb. | |
| She's always late. | After be. | |
| I never eat meat. | No double negative. |
Check yourself
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Frequently asked questions
When do we use always / never in English?
Adverbs of frequency say how often something happens. They usually go before the main verb, but after 'be'. How often…? asks about frequency: How often do you go to the gym?
What are common mistakes with always / never?
Say 'I always go to work by bus.', not 'I go always to work by bus.' (Before the main verb). Say 'She's always late.', not 'She always is late.' (After be). Say 'I never eat meat.', not 'I don't never eat meat.' (No double negative).
What level is this always / never lesson?
It's a Elementary (A2) lesson, week 6 of the free Complete English Course. It takes about 10 minutes and ends with a quiz.