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Frequency Adverbs in English: Master “Always, Often, Sometimes, Rarely, Never” with Interactive B1 Grammar Lessons
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July 29, 2025
Frequency Adverbs (always, often, sometimes, rarely, never) – B1 Grammar Tutorial – LingExam
How often do you do things?
Frequency adverbs help you describe how regularly something happens. They are key to talking about habits, routines, and daily life!
Examples: always (100%), often (about 70-80%), sometimes (around 50%), rarely (about 10%), never (0%).
Mastering these words helps you sound natural in English conversations and explain your life to others!
Frequency adverbs help you describe how regularly something happens. They are key to talking about habits, routines, and daily life!
Examples: always (100%), often (about 70-80%), sometimes (around 50%), rarely (about 10%), never (0%).
Mastering these words helps you sound natural in English conversations and explain your life to others!
Using Frequency Adverbs – Step by Step
1
What are frequency adverbs?
They are words that show *how often* you do something.
always, often, sometimes, rarely, never
They answer the question: “How often…?”
Lisa always drinks tea in the morning.
She often goes for a walk after breakfast.
Sometimes she meets her neighbor for a chat.
She rarely eats fast food.
She never smokes or drinks alcohol.
They are words that show *how often* you do something.
always, often, sometimes, rarely, never
They answer the question: “How often…?”
Lisa always drinks tea in the morning.
She often goes for a walk after breakfast.
Sometimes she meets her neighbor for a chat.
She rarely eats fast food.
She never smokes or drinks alcohol.
2
Where do we put them in a sentence?
Frequency adverbs usually go before the main verb:
Lisa always drinks tea.
She often goes for a walk.
I sometimes play football.
We never eat in class.
But: With the verb “be,” the adverb goes after “am/is/are”:
She is always happy in the morning.
Frequency adverbs usually go before the main verb:
Lisa always drinks tea.
She often goes for a walk.
I sometimes play football.
We never eat in class.
But: With the verb “be,” the adverb goes after “am/is/are”:
She is always happy in the morning.
3
What do frequency adverbs mean?
Always = 100% of the time.
Often = many times, but not always.
Sometimes = not every time, maybe 50%.
Rarely = almost never.
Never = 0%, not at all.
Tip: Imagine a scale from always (top) to never (bottom)!
Always = 100% of the time.
Often = many times, but not always.
Sometimes = not every time, maybe 50%.
Rarely = almost never.
Never = 0%, not at all.
Tip: Imagine a scale from always (top) to never (bottom)!
4
Why do we use them?
To talk about habits, routines, and things that happen again and again—or never!
Lisa always drinks tea in the morning. She rarely eats fast food. I never smoke.
To talk about habits, routines, and things that happen again and again—or never!
Lisa always drinks tea in the morning. She rarely eats fast food. I never smoke.
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Ask about frequency:
How often do you exercise?
How often does Lisa eat pizza?
How often do they travel?
Use answers with adverbs: “I always walk.” “She sometimes eats pizza.” “They never travel.”
How often do you exercise?
How often does Lisa eat pizza?
How often do they travel?
Use answers with adverbs: “I always walk.” “She sometimes eats pizza.” “They never travel.”
Situation: Lisa’s Daily Life
Lisa always drinks tea in the morning.
She often goes for a walk after breakfast.
Sometimes she meets her neighbor for a chat.
She rarely eats fast food, but she loves pizza on Fridays.
She never smokes or drinks alcohol.
Her habits help her feel energetic.
She often goes for a walk after breakfast.
Sometimes she meets her neighbor for a chat.
She rarely eats fast food, but she loves pizza on Fridays.
She never smokes or drinks alcohol.
Her habits help her feel energetic.
Practice Exercise 1: Frequency Adverbs
Choose the correct answer for each sentence. Instantly see a full explanation after you select an option. These questions check your understanding of the first tutorial!
Mastering Frequency Adverbs: Word Order & Real-Life Usage
Want to sound more natural in English?
Understanding where to place frequency adverbs makes your speech and writing smooth and clear! Let’s learn the correct positions, see more examples, and practice with everyday English.
Understanding where to place frequency adverbs makes your speech and writing smooth and clear! Let’s learn the correct positions, see more examples, and practice with everyday English.
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Word Order Rule 1:
For most verbs, the frequency adverb goes before the main verb:
She always drinks tea.
They sometimes walk to school.
We rarely eat fast food.
I never watch horror films.
For most verbs, the frequency adverb goes before the main verb:
She always drinks tea.
They sometimes walk to school.
We rarely eat fast food.
I never watch horror films.
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Word Order Rule 2 (Verb "be"):
With am, is, are, the adverb goes after the verb:
She is always friendly.
I am sometimes tired.
They are never late.
With am, is, are, the adverb goes after the verb:
She is always friendly.
I am sometimes tired.
They are never late.
Word Order Rule 3 (Questions):
In most questions, the adverb goes after the subject:
Do you always eat breakfast?
Does Lisa often visit her parents?
Are you sometimes late for work?
In most questions, the adverb goes after the subject:
Do you always eat breakfast?
Does Lisa often visit her parents?
Are you sometimes late for work?
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Be Careful!
Don’t put the adverb at the beginning or end of the sentence in standard English:
✗ Always Lisa drinks tea. (incorrect)
✓ Lisa always drinks tea. (correct)
Don’t put the adverb at the beginning or end of the sentence in standard English:
✗ Always Lisa drinks tea. (incorrect)
✓ Lisa always drinks tea. (correct)
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Everyday English Tip:
Use frequency adverbs to talk about health, study, free time, and family habits!
I rarely eat sweets.
We always finish our homework.
She sometimes calls her grandmother.
Use frequency adverbs to talk about health, study, free time, and family habits!
I rarely eat sweets.
We always finish our homework.
She sometimes calls her grandmother.
Visual Guide: Frequency Scale
Always
Often
Sometimes
Rarely
Never
From 100% to 0%! Where do your habits fit on this scale?
Practice Exercise 2: Word Order & Real-Life Usage
Choose the correct answer for each sentence. After each choice, instantly review the answer key and detailed explanation—these check your understanding of position and real-life use!
Avoiding Mistakes: Frequency Adverbs in Real Sentences
Let’s look at some tricky points and the most common mistakes with frequency adverbs.
Understanding these helps you sound more natural and confident!
Understanding these helps you sound more natural and confident!
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❗ Don’t use double negatives:
✗ I don’t never eat meat.
✓ I never eat meat.
“Never” already means “not at all,” so don’t use another “not”!
✗ I don’t never eat meat.
✓ I never eat meat.
“Never” already means “not at all,” so don’t use another “not”!
12
❗ “Never” is negative; don’t add “not”:
✗ She doesn’t never come to class.
✓ She never comes to class.
✗ She doesn’t never come to class.
✓ She never comes to class.
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❗ Word order matters:
✗ Sometimes I am tired. (Only with “be”: put adverb after “am/is/are”)
✓ I am sometimes tired.
With “be,” always: am/is/are + adverb
✗ Sometimes I am tired. (Only with “be”: put adverb after “am/is/are”)
✓ I am sometimes tired.
With “be,” always: am/is/are + adverb
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❗ Don’t put the adverb at the sentence’s start (in statements):
✗ Rarely I eat pizza.
✓ I rarely eat pizza.
✗ Rarely I eat pizza.
✓ I rarely eat pizza.
15
Tip: In formal writing, you can use “rarely,” “never,” or “often” at the start for dramatic effect, but in everyday speech and exams, always follow the standard order!
Quick Check: Are These Sentences Correct?
✗ She always is talking on the phone.
✗ I am never late not.
✗ Never she is tired.
✗ I am never late not.
✗ Never she is tired.
Now compare:
✓ She is always talking on the phone.
✓ I am never late.
✓ She is never tired.
✓ She is always talking on the phone.
✓ I am never late.
✓ She is never tired.
Practice Exercise 3: Exceptions & Common Mistakes
Select the best answer for each question. See detailed explanations as soon as you answer—these will help you avoid the most frequent mistakes!
Using Frequency Adverbs in Your Daily Life
Let’s connect grammar to your world!
Frequency adverbs help you talk about your habits, routines, and lifestyle choices—the things you do every day, every week, or not at all.
Frequency adverbs help you talk about your habits, routines, and lifestyle choices—the things you do every day, every week, or not at all.
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Make it personal:
Try to use frequency adverbs to talk about yourself!
I always eat breakfast at 7 o’clock.
I sometimes call my friends in the evening.
Try to use frequency adverbs to talk about yourself!
I always eat breakfast at 7 o’clock.
I sometimes call my friends in the evening.
17
Ask others about their habits:
Use questions with “how often” to learn about someone else’s life.
How often do you exercise?
Do you ever travel to other countries?
Use questions with “how often” to learn about someone else’s life.
How often do you exercise?
Do you ever travel to other countries?
18
Give more details:
Combine frequency adverbs with time phrases.
I usually study English on Mondays.
My sister rarely eats chocolate at night.
Combine frequency adverbs with time phrases.
I usually study English on Mondays.
My sister rarely eats chocolate at night.
19
Talk about exceptions:
Use “but” to show what is different from the usual.
I never eat fast food, but I love pizza on Fridays.
Use “but” to show what is different from the usual.
I never eat fast food, but I love pizza on Fridays.
20
Describe others:
Tell a story about someone else’s habits.
Lisa always drinks tea in the morning. She rarely eats fast food.
Tell a story about someone else’s habits.
Lisa always drinks tea in the morning. She rarely eats fast food.
Challenge: Create Your Own Sentences
- Write 3 sentences about your daily routine using “always,” “often,” or “sometimes.”
- Ask your classmate 2 questions using “how often...?” or “Do you ever...?”
- Share a funny habit you “rarely” or “never” do!
Practice Exercise 4: Real-Life Usage
Choose the best answer for each real-life scenario. Instantly see a detailed explanation after every choice—this will help you connect grammar to your own life!
Go Further: 'Usually', 'Generally', 'Occasionally' & More
Ready to make your English richer?
Let’s look at more frequency adverbs used by native speakers. These words help you express habits that are not always 100% or 0%.
Let’s look at more frequency adverbs used by native speakers. These words help you express habits that are not always 100% or 0%.
21
'Usually' (about 80-90%):
Means most of the time, but not always.
I usually go to the gym on Mondays.
Means most of the time, but not always.
I usually go to the gym on Mondays.
22
'Generally' (about 80%):
Similar to “usually” and common in formal or written English.
People generally eat dinner around 7pm in Spain.
Similar to “usually” and common in formal or written English.
People generally eat dinner around 7pm in Spain.
23
'Occasionally' (about 15-20%):
Means “sometimes, but not often.”
I occasionally watch TV in the afternoon.
Means “sometimes, but not often.”
I occasionally watch TV in the afternoon.
24
'Seldom' (about 10%):
Less common than “rarely,” and a bit more formal.
We seldom eat dessert after lunch.
Less common than “rarely,” and a bit more formal.
We seldom eat dessert after lunch.
25
Order & Use:
These adverbs usually go in the same place as always, often, sometimes, etc.—before the main verb or after “be”.
She is usually friendly.
I occasionally forget my keys.
These adverbs usually go in the same place as always, often, sometimes, etc.—before the main verb or after “be”.
She is usually friendly.
I occasionally forget my keys.
Visual Scale: More Frequency Adverbs
Always
Usually
Generally
Often
Sometimes
Occasionally
Rarely
Seldom
Never
Now you can describe all your routines—big or small!
Practice Exercise 5: Advanced Frequency Adverbs
Choose the best answer for each sentence about daily routines and habits.
Instantly read the answer explanation for every choice!
Instantly read the answer explanation for every choice!
Frequency Adverbs in Conversation & Writing
Bring your grammar to life!
Use frequency adverbs to sound fluent, natural, and clear—both when speaking and in your writing.
Use frequency adverbs to sound fluent, natural, and clear—both when speaking and in your writing.
26
Sound natural in conversation:
Use adverbs to give more detail and personality.
A: Do you exercise?
B: Yes, I usually go for a run after work.
Use adverbs to give more detail and personality.
A: Do you exercise?
B: Yes, I usually go for a run after work.
27
Express opinions and feelings:
Frequency adverbs help you say how you feel about things you do.
I rarely watch scary movies because I don’t like them.
I always enjoy reading before bed.
Frequency adverbs help you say how you feel about things you do.
I rarely watch scary movies because I don’t like them.
I always enjoy reading before bed.
28
Make your writing clearer:
Adding adverbs helps the reader understand your habits.
My friend is never late for class. She usually arrives early.
Adding adverbs helps the reader understand your habits.
My friend is never late for class. She usually arrives early.
29
Tell interesting stories:
Use adverbs to describe habits and routines in the past or present.
When I was a child, I often visited my grandparents.
Now, I seldom eat sweets.
Use adverbs to describe habits and routines in the past or present.
When I was a child, I often visited my grandparents.
Now, I seldom eat sweets.
30
Practice with a partner:
Ask and answer: “How often do you...?” or “Do you ever...?”
Use adverbs to reply and add detail!
Ask and answer: “How often do you...?” or “Do you ever...?”
Use adverbs to reply and add detail!
Example Mini-Dialogues
A: How often do you check your phone?
B: I usually check it every hour.
A: Do you ever travel to other countries?
B: I occasionally travel abroad for work.
B: I usually check it every hour.
A: Do you ever travel to other countries?
B: I occasionally travel abroad for work.
Try making your own dialogues using different frequency adverbs!
Practice Exercise 6: In Conversation & Writing
Choose the best answer for each real-life English moment.
Instantly get a full answer explanation after each choice—see how frequency adverbs make English clear and natural!
Instantly get a full answer explanation after each choice—see how frequency adverbs make English clear and natural!
Frequency Adverbs: Review & Top Tips
Congratulations—you're mastering frequency adverbs!
Let’s review what you’ve learned and see the most important things to remember.
Let’s review what you’ve learned and see the most important things to remember.
31
Remember the main adverbs:
always, usually, often, sometimes, occasionally, rarely, seldom, never
always, usually, often, sometimes, occasionally, rarely, seldom, never
32
Position:
- Before the main verb: I always eat breakfast.
- After "be" (am/is/are): She is never late.
- Before the main verb: I always eat breakfast.
- After "be" (am/is/are): She is never late.
33
Don't use double negatives:
✗ I don’t never play tennis.
✓ I never play tennis.
✗ I don’t never play tennis.
✓ I never play tennis.
34
Mix adverbs with time words for details:
I usually go swimming on Saturdays.
I usually go swimming on Saturdays.
35
Tip: Use adverbs in conversation and writing to sound fluent, precise, and natural.
36
Most common mistakes:
- Wrong position: ✗ Always I eat pizza.
- Double negative: ✗ I don't never study.
- Forgetting "do/does" in questions: ✗ How often you go?
Ready for the Final Challenge?
Up next: Take the Frequency Adverbs Quiz to test everything you’ve learned!
Tip: If you’re not sure about a rule, review the steps above or try making new sentences with your own daily habits.
Frequency Adverbs Quiz Final Challenge
Test yourself with 10 randomly selected questions!
Each answer gives you an instant, detailed explanation. Retake for new questions, or review your results!
Each answer gives you an instant, detailed explanation. Retake for new questions, or review your results!
🌟 Congratulations! You’ve Completed the Frequency Adverbs Tutorial
You’ve mastered one of the most important grammar topics for daily English conversation.
Well done on finishing all lessons, exercises, and the final quiz!
Well done on finishing all lessons, exercises, and the final quiz!
What can you do now?
- Use always, often, sometimes, rarely, never (and more!) in your daily speaking & writing
- Explain your habits and routines with confidence
- Understand English speakers in real situations
- Avoid the most common mistakes
🚀 Next step: Explore more lessons and quizzes on LingExam Language Academy.
Practice makes perfect! Keep using English every day.
📚See More English Lessons
Practice makes perfect! Keep using English every day.
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