Unit 4.2

Adverbs of Frequency

Introduction

Adverbs are nouns that function as modifiers of other elements of the clause. They can provide a wide range of information.

Adverbs of frequency are used to provide information about the frequency of an event.

Form

Adverbs are usually positioned after auxiliary verbs (to be/to have) or before other verbs.

We use adverbs of frequency to describe the frequency of an event (indefinite and definite).

The most commonly used adverbs of frequency are:

adverbs of indefinite frequency: now and then, seldom, occasionally, frequently, regularly, constantly…
adverbs of definite frequency: daily, weekly, monthly, periodically, yearly…

Example

Adverbs of indefinite frequency:

I think about you now and then.
You seldom go to the beach.
He has a flat in London now, but he still comes home occasionally.
We frequently have headaches.
You exercise regularly.
They constantly wear a cap.

Adverbs of definite frequency:

You go running daily.
Martin has weekly visits from his mother.
We do physical exercise monthly.
He periodically complains about everything I do.
They pay for the ambulance service yearly.

Use

We use adverbs of frequency (indefinite and definite) to describe the frequency of an event (how often/frequently something happens):

adverbs of indefinite frequency are used to express the idea about the frequency, but don’t show information of exactly how often something happens;
adverbs of definite frequency are used to express exactly how often something happens.

Summary

Adverbs of frequency give information about the frequency of an event or action.

The most commonly used adverbs of indefinite frequency (not exact) are: now and then, seldom, occasionally, frequently, regularly, constantly…
The most commonly used adverbs of definite frequency (exact) are: daily, weekly, monthly, periodically, yearly…

For example:
— “I seldom go to the gym.” = The subject (I) goes to gym only occasionally.
— “I’m periodically going to the gym.” = The subject (I) often goes to the gym.

Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section that shows its use within a context.