B1

Frequency Adverbs with Auxiliaries — Exercises

Practice placing always, never, sometimes and usually after an auxiliary or modal and before the main verb, including two auxiliaries, negatives and questions.

  1. He ___ difficult when he's tired.

    • can sometimes be
    • sometimes can be
    • can be sometimes
    Show answer

    can sometimes be

    A frequency adverb goes between the auxiliary and the main verb — 'can sometimes be'.

  2. She ___ me the truth.

    • has never told
    • never has told
    • has told never
    Show answer

    has never told

    A frequency adverb goes between the auxiliary and the main verb.

  3. I ___ chocolate.

    • have always loved
    • always have loved
    • have loved always
    Show answer

    have always loved

    A frequency adverb goes between the auxiliary and the main verb — 'have always loved'.

  4. She ___ on time.

    • can't always come
    • always can't come
    • can't come always
    Show answer

    can't always come

    The frequency adverb follows the auxiliary, including a negative one.

  5. ___ eat breakfast at home?

    • Do you usually
    • Do usually you
    • Usually do you
    Show answer

    Do you usually

    In a question the frequency adverb goes after the subject, not after the auxiliary.

  6. She ___ kind to me.

    • has always been
    • always has been
    • has been always
    Show answer

    has always been

    A frequency adverb goes between the auxiliary and the main verb.

Frequency Adverbs with Auxiliaries and Modals

A frequency adverb normally sits immediately before the main verb. When an auxiliary (have, has, do) or a modal (can, will, must) is present, the adverb moves one place to the right: it goes after the auxiliary and before the main verb. The rule is the same underlying one — the adverb hugs the main verb — but learners who memorise 'before the verb' as a position rather than a relationship put it in front of the auxiliary instead.

One Auxiliary or Modal

She has never told me the truth. (not 'never has told')
He can sometimes be difficult when he's tired.

Two Auxiliaries

With two auxiliaries the adverb goes after the first one.

She has always been kind to me.
I have always loved chocolate.

Negatives and Questions

In a negative the adverb follows the contracted auxiliary. In a question it goes after the subject, not before it.

She can't always come on time.
Do you usually eat breakfast at home? (not 'Usually do you')

Common Mistakes

✗ She never has told me the truth. → ✓ She has never told me the truth.
✗ I always have loved chocolate. → ✓ I have always loved chocolate.
✗ He can be sometimes difficult. → ✓ He can sometimes be difficult.
✗ Usually do you eat breakfast at home? → ✓ Do you usually eat breakfast at home?

Last updated: · Satori Editorial

Not sure where to start?

Take the free level test — 32 questions, about 7 minutes, with your score shown immediately. Leave your email to get study tips and updates.

Take the level test