B1–B2

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 always drink coffee in the morning.
    • I drink always coffee in the morning.
    • Always I drink coffee in the morning.
    Show answer

    I always drink coffee in the morning.

    A frequency adverb goes before the main verb: 'I always drink'.

  2. ___

    • I rarely eat meat.
    • Rarely I eat meat.
    • I eat rarely meat.
    Show answer

    I rarely eat meat.

    A frequency adverb goes before the main verb — 'I rarely eat'.

  3. ___

    • I always wake up early.
    • Always I wake up early.
    • I wake up early always.
    Show answer

    I always wake up early.

    'Always' cannot go at the beginning or end of a sentence — it goes before the main verb.

  4. ___

    • He never tells lies.
    • He tells never lies.
    • Never he tells lies.
    Show answer

    He never tells lies.

    'Never' goes before the main verb, not at the start of the sentence.

  5. ___

    • He never says no to a challenge.
    • He says never no to a challenge.
    • He says no to a challenge never.
    Show answer

    He never says no to a challenge.

    'Never' goes before the main verb — not between the verb and its complement, and not at the end.

  6. My weekday routine

    My weekday routine is pretty simple. I {1} get up at half past six and have breakfast at home. Then I cycle to work — it takes about twenty minutes. I'm {2} late, because I leave plenty of time. At the office I {3} have a quick chat with my colleagues, then start work. {4} I have meetings in the afternoon, but most days I just sit at my desk. Lunch is short: I eat at my desk and finish {5}. After work I go to the gym, but I never stay too {6}. In the evenings, I {7} go to bed before midnight, even on Fridays, because I have to be up {8}.

    • usually
    • never
    • always
    • Sometimes
    • quickly
    • late
    • often
    • early
    Show answer

    1. usually — Frequency adverb before the main verb 'get up'.

    2. never — Frequency adverb after the verb 'be' — 'I'm never late'.

    3. always — Frequency adverb before the main verb — fits 'then start work'.

    4. Sometimes — Frequency adverb at the start of the sentence — only 'sometimes / usually / often / occasionally' work here. Capitalised.

    5. quickly — Manner adverb at the end — 'finish quickly'.

    6. late — Time/manner adverb at the end — 'stay too late' at the gym.

    7. often — Frequency adverb before the main verb — 'often go to bed before midnight'.

    8. early — Time adverb at the end — 'have to be up early'.

  7. Trying a new hobby

    A: How's the new yoga class going? You started last month, right?
    B: Yes, I {1} go on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The teacher is really good.
    A: How long have you been doing yoga {2}?
    B: About five weeks. I {3} thought it would be boring, but I love it now.
    A: Do you practise at home too?
    B: Sometimes. I {4} practise in the morning, before the day gets busy. But I {5} skip it if I'm tired.
    A: How does it make you feel?
    B: Surprisingly different — much calmer. I sleep {6} too, which is a big change.
    A: I should try it. I'm {7} stressed these days.

    • usually
    • regularly
    • always
    • often
    • sometimes
    • better
    • constantly
    Show answer

    1. usually — Frequency adverb before the main verb 'go'.

    2. regularly — Time/manner adverb at the end of the question — 'doing yoga regularly'.

    3. always — Frequency adverb before the main verb 'thought' — past habit/opinion.

    4. often — Frequency adverb before the main verb 'practise'.

    5. sometimes — Frequency adverb before the main verb 'skip'.

    6. better — Comparative adverb at the end — 'sleep better'. The adverb of 'good' is 'well', so the comparative is 'better'.

    7. constantly — Frequency adverb after the verb 'be' — 'I'm constantly stressed'.

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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