Frequency Adverbs with Auxiliaries and Modals — Exercises
Practice placing frequency adverbs after auxiliary verbs (have, has) and modals (can, could) and before the main verb, including with two auxiliaries and in questions.
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I have never seen a dolphin.
A frequency adverb goes after the auxiliary, before the main verb — 'have never seen'.
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He can sometimes be difficult.
A frequency adverb goes after the modal, before the main verb — 'can sometimes be'.
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She has never told me the truth.
A frequency adverb goes after the auxiliary, before the main verb — 'has never told'.
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I've always loved chocolate.
With the present perfect, the frequency adverb goes after the auxiliary — 'have always loved'.
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She can't always come on time.
After a modal + n't, place the frequency adverb before the main verb — 'can't always come'.
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Do you usually eat breakfast at home?
In a question with 'do', the frequency adverb goes after the subject, before the main verb.
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She has always been kind to me.
With two auxiliaries (has been), the frequency adverb goes after the first one — 'has always been'.
Frequency Adverbs with Auxiliaries and Modals
When a sentence contains an auxiliary verb (have, has, will, do) or a modal (can, could, must), a frequency adverb goes immediately after it and before the main verb: 'I have never seen a dolphin', 'He can sometimes be difficult'. This is a variation of the same underlying rule as with plain verbs — the adverb sits right before whatever main verb it modifies, just shifted one word to the right to make room for the auxiliary. When two auxiliaries appear together, the adverb goes after the first one: 'She has always been kind to me'.
One Auxiliary or Modal
He can sometimes be difficult.
Two Auxiliaries
In Questions
Common Mistakes
✗ She always has been kind to me. → ✓ She has always been kind to me.
✗ Usually do you eat breakfast at home? → ✓ Do you usually eat breakfast at home?
Last updated: · Satori Editorial