Adverbs of Frequency

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary Explanation

Adverbs of frequency tell us how often something happens, from 100% of the time to 0% of the time. Ordered from most to least frequent: always (100%) → usually / normally (a very high percentage, but not every time) → often / frequently (many times, but not always; «frequently» is a bit more formal) → sometimes (on some occasions, not often or always) → occasionally (from time to time, not regularly) → rarely / seldom (only a few times) → hardly ever (almost never) → never (0%). To ask about frequency, we use the question «How often…?» Since «never,» «rarely,» «seldom,» and «hardly ever» already carry a negative meaning, they are not combined with «don’t/doesn’t» (e.g., «I never eat meat,» not «I don’t never eat meat»).

Examples:

1. I always brush my teeth before bed.
2. We usually go to the beach in summer.
3. It often rains in this city in autumn.
4. My father rarely gets angry.
5. My cat never eats vegetables.

Remember: always (100%) → usually/normally → often/frequently → sometimes → occasionally → rarely/seldom → hardly ever → never (0%).