Olly English
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The quick answer
Use always for 100 percent of the time, usually for most days, often for many times, sometimes for some days only, and never for zero times. Say She always helps at home, not She helps always at home.
Adverbs of frequency: how often
Always means every time, never means not one time, and the other adverbs sit between them.
The rule
An adverb of frequency tells us how often an action happens. The five adverbs at A1 form a scale from most to least: always, usually, often, sometimes, never. They answer the question How often. How often do you swim. I sometimes swim on Sundays.
Position is fixed. Put the adverb before the main verb: She always drinks milk. They often play football. Put it after the verb be: He is never late. They are usually tired. Time phrases like every day or on Sundays go at the end of the sentence.
Form
| Adverb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| always | 100 percent | She always drinks milk. |
| usually | most days | He usually gets up early. |
| often | many times | They often play football. |
| sometimes | some days | We sometimes visit our grandmother. |
| never | zero times | He is never late. |
Examples
- I always brush my teeth.
- She usually walks to school.
- They often play chess.
- We sometimes swim on Sundays.
- He is never late for class.
- They are usually tired at night.
Common mistakes
- ❌ She helps always at home. → ✅ She always helps at home. The adverb goes before the main verb, not at the end.
- ❌ She never is late. → ✅ She is never late. The adverb goes after the verb be.
- ❌ They play always football. → ✅ They always play football. Never put the adverb between the verb and its object.
- ❌ I usually am tired. → ✅ I am usually tired. After be comes first, then the adverb.