Adverbs of frequency with present simple

Adverbs of frequency

We use adverbs of frequency with the present simple to talk about how often something happens.

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Position

The position of adverbs of frequency is before the verb but after the verb be.

In negative sentences, the adverb of frequency goes after don’t/doesn’t:

• We don’t often go to bed late.
• He doesn’t always agree with me.  

In questions, adverbs of frequency go after the subject.

• Is he always late?
• Do they often go to the library?

Never/hardly ever

The adverbs never and hardly ever (=almost never) have a negative meaning, but they are used with a positive verb:

• He is never late.
• He isn’t never late.
• They hardly ever go to the library. 
• They don’t hardly ever go to the library. 

Expressions of frequency

There are other expressions that we use to talk about frequency: once a day, twice a week, three times a month, every day, etc. These expressions are longer (2 words or more), and they go at the end of the sentence.

• I brush my teeth three times a day. 
• I see her every day.