Adverbs of frequency: always, usually, sometimes, never

Short answer: Adverbs of frequency tell how often something happens: always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never. They go before the main verb: I always go to school by bike. They go after am, is and are: He is never late. With he, she and it, the verb still needs -s: She usually walks to school.

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At a glance

In short

• The how-often word goes before the action word.
• After am, is, are it goes after them.
• He, she and it still need -s.

What is the rule for “always, usually, sometimes, never”?

The rule

always, usually, sometimes and never go before the action word, but after am, is and are.

How it looks

subject + always + action word · subject + is + never + word

What it means

They tell how often.

When to use it

Use them to talk about your routine.

How it works

• Put the word before the main verb: I always walk.
• Put it after am, is or are: She is always happy.
• Sometimes, usually and often can also start a sentence: Sometimes we eat pho.
• Never already means not, so do not add another negative: She never eats fish.

Examples of “always, usually, sometimes, never”

• I always go to school by bike.
  Before the action word.
• He is never late.
  After is.
• She usually walks to school.
  She still needs -s: walks.
• We sometimes eat pho.
  sometimes: not every day.
• They often play football after school.
  often goes before the verb play.
• My dad is always happy on Fridays.
  always goes after is.
• We rarely watch TV.
  rarely means almost never.
• Does she ever eat fish?
  ever is used in questions about frequency.

Common mistakes with “always, usually, sometimes, never”

• I go always to school by bike. → I always go to school by bike.
  The how-often word goes before the action word.
• She always walk to school. → She always walks to school.
  She still needs -s.
• He never is late. → He is never late.
  After am, is and are.
• She doesn’t never eat fish. → She never eats fish.
  Never already means not. Do not use two negatives.
• Always I brush my teeth. → I always brush my teeth.
  Put the frequency word before the verb.

Exceptions: watch out

• often and sometimes
  sometimes can also start a sentence: Sometimes we eat pho.

Frequency words and time phrases

You can also say how often with phrases like every day, once a week and twice a month. These usually go at the end of the sentence.

See also: Every day or right now?

Check yourself

1. Put in order: “always / go / I / to school”
   Show the answer

   I always go to school. Before the main verb.

2. Put in order: “is / never / he / late”
   Show the answer

   He is never late. After is.

3. Fix: “She always walk.”
   Show the answer

   She always walks. She still needs -s.

How to practice “always, usually, sometimes, never”

The interactive version adds step-by-step help, spoken instructions and a quick check. One rule card, one sound lesson and the first lesson of every stone are free to try; the rest is part of Full Access. See Full Access.

• Practice lesson: My routine: always, usually, sometimes, never

Questions

Where does “sometimes” go?

Before the verb, or at the start or end of the sentence: Sometimes we eat pho. We eat pho sometimes.

What is the difference between “often” and “usually”?

Usually means most of the time. Often means many times, but not most of the time.

Can I use “never” in a question?

Use ever instead: Do you ever eat fish?

More Grammar in Context rules

• The best: comparing three or more: To say which one is number one, use the + -est, or the most for long words.
• Future: will and won't: will talks about the future. After will, use the plain action word.
• Plans: am / is / are going to: Use am, is or are + going to + the plain action word for plans, and for things we can see coming.
• Telling a story: first, then, next, finally: Order words put the steps of a story in order. Keep the whole story in the past.
• when and if: when tells the time. if tells what must happen first. After if, use the present for the future.
• Polite talk: Can I …? Would you like …?: Ask with Can I have … , please? Offer with Would you like …? Answer with Yes, please or No, thank you.

Used in these writing topics

• Informative paragraphs
• Informative essays

Part of the 📘 Grammar tool. Level G4: Grammar in Context. Đọc bằng tiếng Việt.

Written for English learners by the English for Fun team. How we write our lessons · Last updated 2026-11-05.

Reviewed by Chinh Q. Hoang, PhD, founder, English for Fun · 2026-10-30

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