Where do adverbs of frequency go in a sentence?

They go before the main verb but after the verb 'to be.' For example: "I always drink coffee" (before the main verb 'drink') and "She is usually busy" (after 'is'). Avoid putting them at the end, so don't say "I drink coffee always."

What is the order of adverbs of frequency from most to least often?

The scale runs always > usually > often > sometimes > rarely > never. 'Always' means every time and 'never' means at no time, with the others falling in between.

Why can't I say "I don't never eat late"?

Because 'never' is already negative on its own. Adding 'don't' creates a double negative, which is incorrect in standard English. Just say "We never eat late."

Adverbs

Adverbs of Frequency: Always, Usually, Often, Sometimes, Never

Level A2 Adverbs

Key idea

Adverbs of frequency tell us how often something happens, and English has one main rule for placing them: they go before the main verb but after the verb 'to be.' That is why we say "I always drink coffee" (before the main verb) but "She is usually busy" (after 'to be'). The frequency scale runs from most to least often: always > usually > often > sometimes > rarely > never. Remember that 'never' is already negative, so we say "We never eat late" and not "We don't never eat late."

Examples

I always drink coffee. every time, the speaker drinks coffee
She is usually busy. she is busy most of the time
We never eat late. the group does not eat late at any time

The full lesson

Everything in the video, in text.

✗ I walk always. word in the wrong place

✓ I always walk. before the main verb

It's all about where the word goes.

I walk always. It sounds off, right? One small word in the wrong spot, and your English slips. Let's fix it for good.
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Adverbs of frequency tell us how often.

These are adverbs of frequency. They answer one question: how often? And they have one favourite spot in the sentence.
The frequency scale
more often
always
usually
often
less often
sometimes
rarely
never
Picture a scale, from every single time down to not once. Always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never. Same slot, different amounts.
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Put the adverb BEFORE the main verb.

Here's the rule that fixes everything. The adverb goes BEFORE the main verb. Not after it. So it's I always walk, never I walk always.
I always drink coffee.
before the main verb

Watch it work. The verb is drink, so always sits right in front of it. I always drink coffee.
They often eat out.
still before the verb

Same slot, smaller amount. Often goes before eat. Most of the time, but not always. They often eat out.
Sometimes we walk to work.
can start the sentence too

Sometimes is flexible — it can also open the sentence for emphasis. Both of these are correct. Sometimes we walk to work.
Where does it go?
before main verbs
I always walk
she often sings
we never lie
after "to be"
I am always late
she is often busy
we are never wrong
Now the one exception you must know. With the verb to be — am, is, are — the adverb flips to AFTER it. Be is special.
She is usually busy.
after "to be"

See it with to be. The verb is is, so usually comes straight after it. She is usually busy.
✗ I never am late. adverb before "to be"

✓ I am never late. adverb after "to be"

With "to be," the adverb comes after.

This trips everyone up. People split to be and the adverb. I never am late — wrong. The adverb goes after am.
✗ I don't never eat late. double negative

✓ I never eat late. one negative is enough

"never" is already negative — don't add "not."

And the big one: never is already negative. So you never add a second not. I don't never eat late is a double negative. Just say I never eat late.
We never eat late.
already negative

One clean negative does the whole job. Never before the main verb, and the meaning is total: not at any time. We never eat late.
Remember
- Before the main verb: I always walk
- After "to be": I am always late
- "never" is already negative
So, three things to remember. Before the main verb. After to be. And never stands alone. Get those, and your routines sound natural.

Examples

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