Adverbs of frequency (always, often, never...)

Some words tell us how often something happens: always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never. These are adverbs of frequency, and they're a natural partner for the present simple — the tense we already use for habits and routines.

Quick shortcut: at A1, the adverb usually goes before the main verb, but after the verb be — she always works, but she is always tired.

The frequency scale

From most often to least often:

• I always have breakfast.
• We usually walk to school.
• He often calls his mother.
• They sometimes eat out.
• She rarely watches TV.
• I never drink coffee at night.

You may also meet seldom — it means the same as rarely, just a little more formal.

Position: before the main verb

With most verbs, the adverb of frequency goes before the main verb:

Subject + adverb + main verb …

• I always walk to work.
• She usually gets up at seven.
• We often visit our grandparents.
• They rarely go to the cinema.

So it's ✅ She always drinks tea, never ❌ She drinks always tea.

Position: after the verb be

The verb be is the exception — in a neutral sentence, the adverb comes after it, not before:

• He is always late.
• I am usually tired on Mondays.
• They are never on time.
• We are often busy on weekends.

At A1, keep to this order — ✅ He is always late, not ❌ He always is late.

With can, put the adverb in the same spot, right after it:

• I can never remember his name.
• She can usually finish on time.

Negatives and questions

In negatives, a good default is to put the adverb between don't/doesn't and the base form:

• I don't often go swimming.
• She doesn't usually eat meat.

You'll also hear the adverb before don't/doesn't, especially with usually: I usually don't eat meat. At A1, either is fine — just be consistent.

Note that never already has a negative meaning, so it's ✅ I never eat meat, never ❌ I don't never eat meat — using both would be a double negative. See Present simple: questions & negatives for more on don't/doesn't.

To ask how often something happens, use How often...? with do/does:

How often + do/does + subject + base form … ?

• How often do you exercise? — I exercise three times a week.
• How often does she call you? — She calls me every day.

With be, don't add do/does — just move be to the front, as usual:

• How often is he late? — He is often late.

Sometimes, usually — at the start too

Sometimes can also go at the start or end of a sentence, for a little extra emphasis, and usually is common at the start:

• Sometimes I work late. / I work late sometimes.
• Usually, I get up at seven.

At A1, it's simplest to keep always and never in their usual middle position: She always drinks tea; I never eat meat.

Common mistakes

• ❌ She drinks always coffee. → ✅ She always drinks coffee. (adverb before the main verb)
• ❌ He always is late. → ✅ He is always late. (adverb after be)
• ❌ I don't never eat meat. → ✅ I never eat meat. (don't combine don't and never)
• ❌ How much often do you swim? → ✅ How often do you swim? (not how much often)

Quick check

Where does the adverb go?

1. I go to bed early. (usually) → ____
2. She is late. (never) → ____
3. We eat pizza. (sometimes — try two positions) → ____
4. He can find his keys. (rarely) → ____

Key takeaways

• Adverbs of frequency (always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never) say how often something happens.
• With most verbs, they go before the main verb: I always walk.
• With the verb be (and with can), they go after it: He is always late, I can never remember.
• Don't combine don't with never — never is already negative.
• Ask about frequency with How often...? — with be, just move be to the front: How often is he late?
• Sometimes can start or end a sentence, and usually is common at the start too; at A1, keep always and never in their usual middle position.