Explanations » A1 Grammar Explanations » Adverbs of frequency with present simple
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  • Adverbs of frequency

    We use adverbs of frequency with the present simple to talk about how often something happens.

    Educational chart for A1 elementary English learners showing adverbs of frequency with percentages and examples, plus word order rules in positive sentences and questions.

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    Position

    Adverbs of frequency go before the verb but after the verb be.

    In negative sentences, the adverb of frequency goes after don’t/doesn’t:

    • We don’t often go to bed late.
    • He doesn’t always agree with me.  

    In questions, adverbs of frequency go after the subject.

    • Is he always late?
    • Do they often go to the library?

    Never/hardly ever

    The adverbs never and hardly ever (=almost never) have a negative meaning, but they are used with a positive verb:

    • He is never late. blank
    • He isn’t never late. blank
    • They hardly ever go to the library. blank
    • They don’t hardly ever go to the library. blank

    Expressions of frequency

    There are other expressions that we use to talk about frequency: once a day, twice a week, three times a month, every day, etc. These expressions are longer (2 words or more), and they go at the end of the sentence.

    • I brush my teeth three times a day
    • I see her every day