My English Class: Word Order: Frequency Words

Adverbs of frequency

Adverbs of frequency answer the question How often?

An adverb which modifies a verb may occupy one of three main positions in a clause. These positions may be referred to as the beginning position, the middle position, and the end position. Adverbs of frequency may occupy any of these positions. In the following examples, the adverbs of frequency are printed in bold type.

An adverb in the beginning position is located at the beginning of a clause. For example:
  Often the wind blows less strongly at night.
In this example, the adverb of frequency often is located at the beginning of the clause.

Most adverbs can occupy the beginning position in a clause. The use of this position tends to emphasize the adverb.

An adverb in the end position occurs after an intransitive verb, or after the direct object of a transitive verb.
e.g. He speaks seldom.
I visit her frequently.
In the first example, seldom follows the intransitive verb speaks. In the second example, frequently follows the direct object her of the transitive verb visit.

Usually only one adverb at a time can occupy the beginning position or the middle position in a clause. However, more than one adverb at a time can occupy the end position in a clause.

When more than one adverb occurs in the end position, the different types of adverb are usually placed in a certain order. For instance, in the end position, adverbs of frequency usually follow adverbs of manner and adverbs of location, and precede adverbs of time and adverbs of purpose.

Adverbs of frequency which consist of single words most often occupy the middle position of a clause. The location of adverbs in the middle position varies depending on the type of verb used. Adverbs in the middle position occupy the locations indicated below:

  1) They follow the Simple Present and Simple Past of the verb to be.
  2) They precede the Simple Present and Simple Past of verbs other than the verb to be.
  3) They follow the first auxiliary, in tenses which have auxiliaries.
  4) They precede the first auxiliary, or the Simple Present or Simple Past of the verb to be, in short answers.

The following examples illustrate the use of adverbs of frequency in the middle position of a clause. The relevant verbs are underlined.
  1) We are always on time.
  2) He rarely makes a mistake.
  3) I have often wondered about that.
  4) Have you seen this movie before? No, I never have.
In the preceding examples, always follows are, the Simple Present of the verb to be; rarely precedes makes, the Simple Present of a verb other than the verb to be; often follows the first auxiliary have of the verb have wondered; and never precedes the auxiliary have in the short answer I never have.

See Exercise 1.

In negative statements, and negative questions with not, adverbs in the middle position of a clause usually follow the word not.
e.g. Negative Statement: They do not often miss the bus.
  Question with Not: Does he not usually know the answers?
In these examples, the adverbs often and usually follow the word not.

In affirmative questions, and negative questions with n't, adverbs in the middle position of a clause usually follow the subject of the clause. In the following examples, the subjects are underlined.
e.g. Affirmative Question: Is it always this cold in February?
  Question with n't: Doesn't he usually know the answers?
In the first example, the adverb always follows the subject it. In the second example, the adverb usually follows the subject he.

It should be noted that the adverbs daily, weekly, monthly, yearly and annually usually do not occupy the middle position of a clause.

See Exercise 2.

Verbs may be modified not only by single-word adverbs, but also by adverb phrases and clauses. Like adverbs of frequency, adverb phrases and clauses of frequency answer the question How often?

Adverb phrases and clauses of frequency usually occupy either the beginning or end position of a clause.
e.g. Once in a while, I like to try something new.
We visited the museum as often as we could.
In the first example, the adverb phrase of frequency once in a while occupies the beginning position of the clause I like to try something new. In the second example, the adverb clause of frequency as often as we could occupies the end position of the clause We visited the museum.

It should be noted that except in the case of commonly used adverbs such as now, then , today, tomorrow, sometimes, usually, maybe and perhaps, adverbs and adverb phrases at the beginning of a clause must usually be followed by commas. In the following examples, the commas are underlined.
e.g. Unfortunately, it began to rain.
As often as possible, we went outside for a walk.

Here is one more worksheet for you about frequency words. It's taken from Mastering English book then I made it as the worksheet. I hope it will be useful for you to review the lesson. It's easy to be understood. Get Word Document by leaving your comment here.