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Of all the adverb placement rules I teach, the one about frequency is both the most important and the one students forget fastest. By Thursday, they’re putting “I go sometimes to the gym” in their essays — even though they learned the rule on Monday. The reason? Frequency adverbs have rigid, non-negotiable positions, and they depend on what type of verb you’re using.
You’ll breaks down the five position rules for frequency adverbs (always, never, often, rarely, sometimes, and friends), shows you where each one fits with simple verbs, auxiliary verbs, and the verb “to be”, and gives you the scale from 0% (never) to 100% (always) so you can pick the exact word you need. By the end, you’ll know exactly where to place every frequency adverb — and why.
Key Takeaways
- Frequency adverbs answer “how often?” — ranging from never (0%) to always (100%).
- Rule 1: Before the main verb — “She always studies hard.” (for present simple verbs)
- Rule 2: After “to be” — “She is always busy.” (different from other verbs)
- Rule 3: Between auxiliary and main verb — “She has never forgotten this.” (for present perfect, modals)
- Rule 4: Flexible at sentence edges — usually, often, sometimes can start or end a sentence; always, never, rarely cannot.
Understanding Frequency Adverbs
What Are Adverbs of Frequency?
Adverbs of frequency are words that describe how often an action is performed. They tell you the degree or percentage of how regularly something happens — from never (0%) to always (100%). Common frequency adverbs include always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, and never.
Example 1: I never drink coffee after 2 pm. (How often? 0% of the time)
Example 2: She always studies hard for her exams. (How often? 100% of the time)
Example 3: They usually go out on Friday nights. (How often? 90% of the time)
Example 4: He occasionally plays soccer with his friends. (How often? 30% of the time)
Example 5: We often take a walk in the park. (How often? 70% of the time)
The Frequency Scale: 0% to 100%
These adverbs form a scale based on frequency percentage. Understanding this scale helps you pick the exact right word for your meaning:
| Adverb | Percentage | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Always | 100% | He always has sandwiches for lunch. |
| Usually | ~90% | The drive usually takes 15 or 20 minutes. |
| Generally | ~80% | I generally get to work by 8 am. |
| Frequently | ~70% | He was frequently drunk at these gatherings. |
| Often | ~70% | If you wash your hair too often, it can get dry. |
| Sometimes | ~50% | The journey takes an hour, sometimes even longer. |
| Occasionally | ~30% | My stomach still bothers me occasionally. |
| Seldom | ~10% | Karen had seldom seen him so angry. |
| Rarely | ~5% | She very rarely complains. |
| Hardly ever | ~5% | We hardly ever go out. |
| Never | 0% | He’s never been to Australia. |
Remember: This scale is your guide to meaning. “Rarely” and “hardly ever” are almost the same (both ~5%), but “sometimes” (50%) is the middle ground — it implies uncertainty or equal probability.
The Five Position Rules for Frequency Adverbs
Rule 1: Before the Main Verb (Simple Present)
With simple present verbs (except “to be”), place the frequency adverb directly before the verb.
Example 1: Do you often go to the cinema? (Frequency before the main verb “go”)
Example 2: I sometimes watch French films. (Frequency before “watch”)
Example 3: She never eats vegetables. (Frequency before “eats”)
Example 4: I always read comic books before bed. (Frequency before “read”)
Example 5: They rarely watch music channels. (Frequency before “watch”)
Rule 2: After the Verb “To Be”
With the verb “to be” (am, is, are, was, were), place the frequency adverb after the verb. This is the opposite of other verbs.
Example 1: I am always worried about my grades. (After “am”)
Example 2: She is usually very happy. (After “is”)
Example 3: I have never done anything bad. (After “have” — auxiliary verb, see Rule 3)
Example 4: She is always cooking spaghetti. (After “is”, even with continuous tense)
Example 5: You are seldom anxious about my health. (After “are”)
Rule 3: Between Auxiliary and Main Verb
When a sentence uses an auxiliary verb (has, have, will, would, can, could, should, must), place the frequency adverb after the auxiliary and before the main verb.
Example 1: He has always done justice to all. (Between auxiliary “has” and main verb “done”)
Example 2: I have often thought of starting a business. (Between “have” and “thought”)
Example 3: I have never forgotten those events. (Between “have” and “forgotten”)
Example 4: I have sometimes managed to succeed. (Between “have” and “managed”)
Example 5: They will always regret doing this. (Between “will” and “regret”)
Rule 4: At the Beginning or End (For Flexible Adverbs Only)
Some frequency adverbs (usually, often, sometimes, occasionally, frequently) can sit at the beginning or end of a sentence. The restrictive ones (always, never, seldom, rarely) cannot.
Beginning of sentence: Usually, I am late for office.
End of sentence: We visit them frequently.
WRONG — never at beginning: ✗ Always she studies hard. (Incorrect)
WRONG — never at end: ✗ She studies hard always. (Incorrect)
Rule 5: With “Used To” and “Have To”
The adverb goes before the phrase “used to” or “have to”.
Example 1: We sometimes used to stay up all night. (Before “used to”)
Example 2: He occasionally used to write to me. (Before “used to”)
Example 3: The fire brigade always has to be ready for emergencies. (Before “has to”)
| Verb Type | Position Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simple present (no auxiliary) | Before the main verb | She always studies. |
| Verb “to be” | After the verb | She is always busy. |
| Present perfect (has/have + past participle) | Between auxiliary and main | She has never gone. |
| Will / would / can / could / should / must | Between auxiliary and main | She will never forgive him. |
| Continuous (is + -ing) | After the auxiliary | She is always working. |
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
✗ Incorrect: She goes sometimes to the gym.
✓ Correct: She sometimes goes to the gym.
Why: “Sometimes” belongs before the main verb, not after it.
✗ Incorrect: I always am busy on Mondays.
✓ Correct: I am always busy on Mondays.
Why: With “to be”, the frequency adverb comes after the verb, not before.
✗ Incorrect: Never she forgets her keys.
✓ Correct: She never forgets her keys.
Why: “Never” cannot start a sentence. It belongs before the main verb, after the subject.
✗ Incorrect: She has gone often to Paris.
✓ Correct: She has often gone to Paris.
Why: With an auxiliary, the frequency adverb goes between the auxiliary and the main verb.
Sample Dialogue
Student: “I am sometimes late for class.” Is that right?
Teacher: Not quite. “Sometimes” can start a sentence, so that’s one option. But the natural position after “am” is better: “I am sometimes late.” Or at the start: “Sometimes, I am late for class.”
Student: What if I use “always”?
Teacher: Good question. “Always” can’t start a sentence. So you’d say “I am always late” — or use a different adverb that’s more flexible, like “usually”.
Student: Why is that?
Teacher: Because “always” is too strong and definitive at the start of a sentence. It reads awkwardly. Native speakers just avoid it there.
Quick Quiz
- Fill the blank: “She _____ goes to the beach in summer.” (sometimes / goes / sometimes goes) — pick the right order.
- True or False: “Always she works hard” is correct English.
- Where does “never” go? “I never have been there.” or “I have never been there.”
- Complete: “He _____ to the same café every morning.” (always goes / goes always)
- Which percentage scale is “occasionally”? (a) 50% (b) 30% (c) 70%)
Answers: 1. “She sometimes goes to the beach.” · 2. False (cannot start a sentence) · 3. “I have never been there.” (between auxiliary and main verb) · 4. “He always goes” (before main verb) · 5. b (30%)
Related Articles
- ↑ Master Pillar: English Grammar
- 25 Adverb Examples — overview of all five adverb types
- Conjunctive Adverbs — connecting ideas across sentences
- ↑ Back to pillar: English Adverbs (Pillar)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common adverbs of frequency?
The most common ones are: always (100%), usually (90%), often (70%), sometimes (50%), rarely (5%), and never (0%). These six cover about 90% of everyday English usage.
Can frequency adverbs go at the beginning of a sentence?
It depends. Flexible adverbs like sometimes, usually, often, and occasionally can start a sentence: “Usually, I arrive early.” But restrictive adverbs like always, never, and rarely cannot: you can’t say “Always she works hard” — it must be “She always works hard.”
Where does the frequency adverb go with the verb “to be”?
It goes after the verb “to be”. For example: “I am always tired” or “She is rarely happy.” This is the opposite rule from other verbs, where the adverb goes before.
How do I use frequency adverbs with present perfect (have/has)?
Place the frequency adverb between the auxiliary and the past participle. Example: “I have never been to Japan” or “She has always loved music.”
What’s the difference between “rarely” and “seldom”?
Both mean approximately the same thing (about 5–10% frequency), but seldom is more formal and less common in modern spoken English. In everyday speech, most people prefer rarely. They follow the same position rules.
Can I use multiple frequency adverbs in one sentence?
Generally, no. Using two frequency adverbs creates confusion: “I sometimes usually go to the gym” is awkward and illogical. Pick one adverb that best expresses the frequency you mean.
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