ADVERBS OF FREQUENCY 1
B2–C1 · IntermediateAdverbs of frequency tell us how often something happens. Their usual position depends on the verb structure: they commonly go before a main verb, after be, or after the first auxiliary. Choose a natural position.
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Write the NUMBER where each adverb of frequency should go in each sentence.
1. He (1) goes to the movies (3) alone (2). (often) → ✓
2. She (1) is (3) tired (2) after going to the gym. (sometimes) → ✓
3. Have (1) they gone (2) there (3)? (often) → ✓
4. We (1) see him (2) anymore (3). (rarely) → ✓
5. Does (3) she (1) eat (2) meat? (ever) → ✓
6. Thomas (2) goes (1) to that restaurant. (3) (never) → ✓
7. (3) He (1) can be (2) difficult. (sometimes) → ✓
8. They (2) do (1) much better (3) on their exams. (usually) → ✓
9. Alex (1) goes (2) grocery shopping (3) after work. (sometimes) → ✓
10. (1) She (2) smokes. (rarely) → ✓
11. (1) He (2) goes surfing (3) for three hours. (regularly) → ✓
12. Patrick (1) has (2) smoked (3) a cigarette in his life. (never) → ✓
13. We would (1) say (2) 'hello' to the neighbors (3). (occasionally) → ✓
14. (1) If you (2) don't exercise (3) you will feel worse. (regularly) → ✓
15. Robert (1) is (3) right (2) about these things. (generally) → ✓
16. (3) We (1) see (2) them these days. (rarely) → ✓
17. (1) Do (2) you (3) tell the truth? (always) → ✓
18. They (2) do (1) much better (3) on their exams. (usually) → ✓
19. They (1) don't go out much, but they (2) have people (3) over. (sometimes) → ✓
20. Why (1) do you (2) give me (3) advance warning? (never) → ✓
Grammar review
Adverbs of frequency
Adverbs of frequency (like always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never) generally go before the main verb but after the verb "to be."
Here's a quick guide:
1. If the sentence has a main verb (not "to be"):
Structure: Subject + Adverb of frequency + Main verb
She always drinks coffee in the morning.
We often go for a walk after dinner.
They never eat meat.
2. If the sentence uses a form of "to be" (am, is, are, was, were):
Structure: Subject + "To Be" + Adverb of frequency
He is always late.
I am usually tired after work.
They were rarely upset.
3. In questions with auxiliary verbs:
Structure: Auxiliary + Subject + Adverb of frequency + Main verb
Do you often travel abroad?
Have they ever been to Japan?
Adverbs of frequency (like always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never) generally go before the main verb but after the verb "to be."
Here's a quick guide:
1. If the sentence has a main verb (not "to be"):
Structure: Subject + Adverb of frequency + Main verb
She always drinks coffee in the morning.
We often go for a walk after dinner.
They never eat meat.
2. If the sentence uses a form of "to be" (am, is, are, was, were):
Structure: Subject + "To Be" + Adverb of frequency
He is always late.
I am usually tired after work.
They were rarely upset.
3. In questions with auxiliary verbs:
Structure: Auxiliary + Subject + Adverb of frequency + Main verb
Do you often travel abroad?
Have they ever been to Japan?
Check out some of our other free exercises on adjectives and adverbs in English:
Possessive adjectives 1 (B)
Possessive adjectives 2 (A1/A2)
Possessive adjectives 3 (A1/A2)
Participle adjectives 1 (I)
Participle adjectives 2 (I)
Adverb or adjective? 1 (B)
Adjectives to adverbs 1 (B)
Adjectives to adverbs 2 (A1/A2)
Comparative adjectives 1 (B)
Comparative adjectives 2 (A1/A2)
Comparative adverbs 1 (I)
Comparative/superlative adverbs 1 (I)
Comparative or superlative adjectives? 1 (I)
Conjunctive adverbs 2 (C1/C2)
Conjunctive adverbs 3 (I)
Adjective order 1 (I)
Adjective order 2 (B1/B2)
Possessive adjectives 1 (B)
Possessive adjectives 2 (A1/A2)
Possessive adjectives 3 (A1/A2)
Participle adjectives 1 (I)
Participle adjectives 2 (I)
Adverb or adjective? 1 (B)
Adjectives to adverbs 1 (B)
Adjectives to adverbs 2 (A1/A2)
Comparative adjectives 1 (B)
Comparative adjectives 2 (A1/A2)
Comparative adverbs 1 (I)
Comparative/superlative adverbs 1 (I)
Comparative or superlative adjectives? 1 (I)
Conjunctive adverbs 2 (C1/C2)
Conjunctive adverbs 3 (I)
Adjective order 1 (I)
Adjective order 2 (B1/B2)
