A2

Frequency Adverbs Before the Main Verb — Exercises

Practice placing frequency adverbs (always, never, often, rarely) immediately before the main verb, and which ones can also start a sentence.

  1. I ___ coffee in the morning.

    • always drink
    • drink always
    • always drinks
    Show answer

    always drink

    A frequency adverb goes before the main verb.

  2. We ___ to the cinema on Fridays.

    • often go
    • go often
    • often goes
    Show answer

    often go

    A frequency adverb goes before the main verb.

  3. They ___ breakfast together at seven.

    • always have
    • have always
    • always has
    Show answer

    always have

    A frequency adverb goes before the main verb.

  4. I ___ my homework in the evening.

    • usually do
    • do usually
    • usually does
    Show answer

    usually do

    A frequency adverb goes before the main verb.

  5. I ___ meat.

    • rarely eat
    • eat rarely
    • rarely eats
    Show answer

    rarely eat

    A frequency adverb goes before the main verb.

  6. We ___ at home on Saturday evenings.

    • usually stay
    • stay usually
    • usually stays
    Show answer

    usually stay

    A frequency adverb goes before the main verb.

  7. My parents ___ up late at weekends.

    • never get
    • get never
    • never gets
    Show answer

    never get

    A frequency adverb goes before the main verb.

  8. I ___ to the office by bus.

    • sometimes go
    • go sometimes
    • sometimes goes
    Show answer

    sometimes go

    A frequency adverb goes before the main verb.

  9. My father ___ the newspaper at breakfast.

    • always reads
    • reads always
    • always read
    Show answer

    always reads

    A frequency adverb goes before the main verb.

  10. She ___ her keys.

    • often loses
    • loses often
    • often lose
    Show answer

    often loses

    A frequency adverb goes before the main verb.

  11. He ___ his phone at home.

    • often leaves
    • leaves often
    • often leave
    Show answer

    often leaves

    A frequency adverb goes before the main verb.

  12. She ___ her homework before dinner.

    • always finishes
    • finishes always
    • always finish
    Show answer

    always finishes

    A frequency adverb goes before the main verb.

Frequency Adverbs Before the Main Verb

With an ordinary main verb (not 'be'), a frequency adverb like always, never, often, usually, or rarely goes immediately before it: 'I always drink coffee', 'I rarely eat meat'. This single position — right before the verb it modifies — applies regardless of tense, as long as there is no auxiliary verb involved. Learners whose first language allows a frequency word at the start or end of a clause often misplace these adverbs in English, where the position is fixed rather than a matter of style or emphasis.

The Core Pattern

I always drink coffee in the morning.
I rarely eat meat.
He never says no to a challenge.

Which Frequency Adverbs Can Start a Sentence

Not all frequency adverbs can move to the front of a sentence. Sometimes, usually, often, and occasionally can; always and never cannot.

Sometimes I work from home. ✓
Always I work from home. ✗ / Never I work from home. ✗

Common Mistakes

✗ Rarely I eat meat. → ✓ I rarely eat meat.
✗ He tells never lies. → ✓ He never tells lies.
✗ Always I wake up early. → ✓ I always wake up early.

Last updated: · Satori Editorial

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