Adverbs of Frequency
Adverbs of indefinite Frequency / Adverbs of Definite Frequency
Adverbs of Definite frequency
Some adverbs and adverb expressions can be used to describe a specific frequency
Adverb
Example
Hourly
The Bus service to the airport is hourly
Daily/Nightly
The Times is a daily newspaper
Weekly
He has a weekly radio show every Friday
Fortnightly
Our magazine is published fortnightly
Monthly
Our monthly electricity bills are more expensive in winter
Quarterly
The Quarterly report makes for grim reading
Annually
The Oscars are awarded annually
Adverbial Expression
Example
Every minute/hour/morning/afternoon/day/week etc.
Once/twice an hour/a day/a week/a month etc.
I have breakfast every morning at 7am
The bookclub meets once a month to review a novel
Three/Four etc. times an hour/a day/a week etc.
I run 5km three times a week to stay fit
Every other day/week/month/year
The magazine is published fortnightly, so it is printed every other week
Adverbs of definite frequency are commonly used in response to the question "How often.....?"
Structures
Adverbs of definite frequency are commonly used in response to the question "How often.....?"
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Subject + Adverb + Verb
If the cinema is closed what will you do?
I will have a party on Saturday instead!
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Adverbs of frequency come after To Be:
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Subject +To Be + Adverb
Well the box office tell me the cinema is closed
That's ok, I'm going to have a party on Saturday
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To Be can be used as an auxiliary verb. Adverbs of frequency are placed between the auxiliary or modal verb and the action verb.
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Subject + auxiliary + adverb + main verb
I'm having a party on Saturday, I have booked the room, bought the drinks and paid the DJ
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Some adverbs of frequency can be used at the start of a sentence:
But the following adverbs of frequency are not used at the start of sentences:
(Hardly) Ever & Never
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We use hardly ever and never with positive, not negative verbs:
I'm having a party on Saturday, I have booked the room, bought the drinks and paid the DJ
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We use ever in questions and negative statements:
I'm having a party on Saturday, I have booked the room, bought the drinks and paid the DJ
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Usually, normally, often, frequently, sometimes, occasionally
I'm having a party on Saturday, I have booked the room, bought the drinks and paid the DJ
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Always, seldom, rarely, hardly, ever, never
I'm having a party on Saturday, I have booked the room, bought the drinks and paid the DJ
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