The adverb of time tells us when, for how long, or how often things take place.
- I’m not hungry now. [when]
- We arrived yesterday. [when]
- He has been working all day. [for how long]
- He has been absent for three days. [for how long]
- I pay my rent monthly. [how often]
- I seldom eat fast food. [how often]
The adverb of frequency tells us how frequently things happen or are done.
- Are you paid monthly?
- She seldom writes to us.
There are two types of the adverb of frequency:
- Adverb of definite frequency
- Adverb of indefinite frequency
Adverbs of definite frequency specify the exact time frame of an action and come at the end of the sentence.
- The zoo is open daily.
- We go shopping weekly.
- They pay the rent quarterly.
Adverbs of indefinite frequency do not specify the exact time frame of an action.
- He always comes late.
- I often walk alone.
- I seldom eat fast food.
- His room is never tidy.
Adverbs of indefinite frequency come after the auxiliary verb but before the main verb.
- You should always tell the truth.
- I can never forgive myself.
Adverbs of indefinite frequency come after the verb “to be,” even if the verb “to be” is the main verb.
- I am always free in the morning.
- We are seldom together.
- This is often not possible.
We can put “frequently, usually, normally, sometimes, occasionally”, at the beginning or end of a sentence.
- Usually, I walk to work.
- Sometimes I go by car.
- Normally, I don’t drink at lunch.
- I see her frequently.
- I wear skirts occasionally.
Adverb of time, envocabulary.com
