Adverbs - Frequency

Adverbs

Adverbs are nouns that function as modifiers of other elements of the clause. They can provide a wide range of information.

Those used to provide information about the Frequency of an event are called Adverbs of Frequency. {see Adverbs - Frequency, A1 level}

To describe the Frequency of an event we use Adverbs of Frequency. Some of these are listed below, in ascending order:

  • Now and then
  • Seldom
  • Occasionally
  • Frequently
  • Regularly
  • Constantly

To provide more precise information about frequency we also use the following adverbs: Daily, weekly, monthly, periodically, yearly.

  1. Now and then we go off to the country.
  2. I seldom go to the beach.
  3. He has a flat in London now, but he still comes home occasionally.
  4. You frequently go shopping.
  5. Martin regularly visits his mother.
  6. He constantly complains about his ex-wife.

Adverbs of Frequency are also used as Adverbs of Time, to describe how often/frequently something happens:

  1. Now and then (from time to time);
  2. Seldom (on only a few occasions);
  3. Occasionally (sometimes but not often);
  4. Frequently (often);
  5. Regularly (often);
  6. Constantly (all the time or often).

Adverbs are important as they modify other elements in a sentence. Adverbs can give information about the frequency of an event and these are called Adverbs of Frequency.

The main Adverbs of Frequency are: Never, rarely, now and then, seldom, sometimes, occasionally, often, usually, frequently, regularly, constantly and always.

For example:
— “I seldom go to the gym.” = The subject (I) goes to gym on only a few occasions.
— “I frequently go to the gym.” = The subject (I) often goes to the gym.
— “I constantly go to the gym.” = The subject (I) goes to the gym all the time.

NOTE: Adverbs are usually positioned after auxiliary verbs (to be/to have) and positioned before other verbs.

Let’s revise this content within the [Form] section. Take a look at the [Example] section that shows its use within a context.