English language

A​lways, usually, regularly, normally, often, sometimes, occasionally, rarely, seldom and never are adverbs of frequency.

Adverbs of Frequency are Adverbs of Time that answer the question "How frequently?" or "How often?".

They tell us how often something happens.

Here are some examples:

 

1. daily, weekly, yearly

2. often, sometimes, rarely

 

With words like daily we know exactly how often. The words in a) describe definite frequency.

On the other hand, words like often give us an idea about frequency but they don't tell us exactly ( indefinite).

We separate them into two groups:

• Adverbs of Definite Frequency (1)

• Adverbs of Indefinite Frequency (2)

 

because they normally go in different positions in the sentence.

 

The Adverbs of Indefinite Frequency can go at the beginning of a sentence.

• Sometimes I go swimming.

• Often we surf the internet.

Sometimes these adverbs are put at the end of the sentence.

• We read books occasionally

 

The Adverbs of Definite Frequency, like all adverbs of definite time, typically go in END position.

Look at these examples:

• Most companies pay taxes yearly.

• The manager checks the toilets hourly.

• The directors meet weekly to review progress.