Among the different types of adverbs, adverbs of time and adverbs of frequency are used to depict when the action mentioned in a sentence is taking place or when the subject in a sentence is performing an action. This article on adverbs of frequency discusses their meaning, definition and usage. Examples and practice questions have also been provided to give you a clear idea of the same.
Table of Contents
- What Is an Adverb of Frequency?
- Examples of Adverbs of Frequency
- Check Your Understanding of Adverbs of Frequency
- Frequently Asked Questions on Adverbs of Frequency in English
What is an Adverb of Frequency?
An adverb of frequency is a word that is employed in a sentence to give more information about the verb, adjective or another adverb. Adverbs of frequency can be placed after the noun or pronoun that acts as the subject and before the verb if there is just one verb in a sentence. If there is more than one verb in a sentence (e.g., auxiliary verb), the adverb of frequency can be positioned before the main verb.
Definition of an Adverb of Frequency
The word ‘frequency’, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, is defined as “the number of times something happens within a particular period, or the fact of something happening often or a large number of times.” So, an adverb of frequency is an adverb which depicts the number of times an action happens within a particular period of time. The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines the word ‘frequency’ as “the rate at which something happens or is repeated.” Therefore, an adverb of frequency can be defined as an adverb which denotes the rate at which something happens.
Examples of Adverbs of Frequency
Have a look at the following sentences to understand how an adverb of frequency can be used.
- Ashish often likes to have food from hotels.
- Wiley always buys groceries from the supermarket.
- The teachers have been instructed to take attendance every hour.
- Everyday, the hospitals see a huge inflow of accident casualties.
- We never like to have litchi juice from any other store.
List of Adverbs of Frequency
Given below is a list of examples of adverbs of frequency for your reference.
| Never | Seldom | Always |
| Every hour | Everyday | Often |
| Constantly | Ever | Eventually |
| Daily | Frequently | Hourly |
| Yearly | Generally | Monthly |
| Occasionally | Regularly | Sometimes |
| Rarely | Usually | Normally |
| Hardly ever | Scarcely | Now and then |
Check Your Understanding of Adverbs of Frequency
Fill in the blanks by choosing the most appropriate adverbs of frequency from the list given below.
(every now and then, seldom, rarely, usually, eventually, frequently, hardly ever, occasionally, always, often)
1. Nick _______ plays tennis in the evening.
2. We come here _____________.
3. The place is ________ crowded.
4. Resma has __________ gone on any trip.
5. My friends and their families get together __________.
6. She __________ keeps a check on her son.
7. Does Sadie visit you _________?
8. You will figure out how to do it __________.
9. The trains here are _______ late.
10. She _________ goes home during the weekends.
Answers:
Find out if you have understood how adverbs of frequency.
1. Nick always plays tennis in the evening.
2. We come here every now and then.
3. The place is rarely crowded.
4. Reshma has hardly ever gone on any trip.
5. My friends and their families get together occasionally.
6. She frequently keeps a check on her son.
7. Does Sadie visit you often?
8. You will figure out how to do it eventually.
9. The trains here are seldom late.
10. She usually goes home during the weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions on Adverbs of Frequency in English
What is an adverb of frequency?
What is the definition of an adverb of frequency?
Where can we place an adverb of frequency in a sentence?
Adverbs of frequency can be placed after the noun or pronoun that acts as the subject and before the verb if there is just one verb in a sentence. If there is more than one verb in a sentence (e.g., auxiliary verb), the adverb of frequency can be positioned before the main verb.
Give some examples of adverbs of frequency.
Often, seldom, rarely, every now and then, hardly ever, sometimes, never, always, occasionally, eventually, etc. are some examples of adverbs of frequency.
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