Adverbs of indefinite frequency are often used with the present simple tense to indicate routine or repeated activities, but are not exact about when something happens. These adverbs usually go before the main verb but after the verb ‘to be’ and auxiliary verbs.
Here are some examples:
I sometimes feel like I trapped you.
You guys are usually the first ones in here,
let’s go.
Adverbs of frequency indicate how often something is done or happens. They usually appear in simple tenses, particularly in the present simple and are, therefore, signal words for this tense.
Some of the indefinite frequency adverbs such as ‘sometimes, occasionally, usually, normally, regularly, often’ may also be used at the beginning or end of the sentence in some cases.
Occasionally, terrible things happen.
Now, I‘m going to try an experiment.
I don’t do experiments, normally.
I‘m a theorist.
*note that ‘normally’ is more common as an adverb of manner.
And for those of us that do fly regularly,
it can be the biggest component
of our individual carbon footprint.
Adverbs of frequency that are not indefinite are known as definite adverbs of frequency. These adverbs/adverb phrases tell us the exact frequency of an action. They usually go at the end of the sentence. Here are some examples:
Yearly, Weekly
Every hour, Every day
Here are some sentence examples with definite adverbs of frequency:
I go to the dentist every month.
“She attends school thrice a week.”
You know those crazy iPhone lines you see on the news every other year?
There are many points at A2 that are related to adverbs and overlap. There is some clash of information between the levels of A1 and A2 though.
A2 point 7 in the category of PRESENT is defined as:
present simple WITH ADVERBS OF INDEFINITE FREQUENCY
In the example sentences, we find ‘usually’ and ‘always’ used.
A2 point 29 in the category of ADVERBS as modifiers is defined as:
an increasing range of adverbs (‘usually’, ‘often’, ‘never’, ‘weekly’) to talk about frequency.
Note, ‘weekly‘ is extremely rare in corpora as an adverb. It is usually an adjective before a noun. ‘Always‘ and ‘Sometimes‘ are also listed at A1 as a limited range. All the examples across these points are in the present simple and are not in the middle position.
Here’s a PELIC STUDENT EXAMPLE in middle position:
In addition, you should never fail to do homework.
Japanese female level 3 writing class.
Here are the most common collocates found in the MOVIE corpus for:
Usually
1 TAKES 118
It usually takes me about 20 minutes to get ready.
2 HAPPENS 95
3 USUALLY 92
4 MEANS 84
5 WOMEN 78
6 WORKS 69
7 WEAR 46
8 ONES 41
9 CALLS 37
10 BREAKFAST 31
Here are the most common examples of adverbs of indefinite frequency between the most common noun (people) and present simple lexical verbs:
Often
- People often ask about the meaning of life.
- People often think about what the future holds.
- “People often say that honesty is the best policy.”
- “People often use smartphones to stay connected with friends and family.”
- “People often forget where they put their keys.”
- “People often get nervous before a big presentation.”
- “People often make resolutions at the start of a new year.”
- “People often find comfort in music.”
- “People often assume that success comes overnight.”
- “People often wonder about the mysteries of the universe.”
Each sentence illustrates a common behavior or thought process that people frequently engage in. For example, “People often ask about the meaning of life” suggests that it’s common for individuals to question life’s purpose. Similarly, “People often wonder about the mysteries of the universe” implies that many people are curious about cosmic phenomena.
Always
- “People always ask for directions when they are lost.”
- “People always say that time heals all wounds.”
- “People always want what they can’t have.”
- “People always think about their loved ones.”
- “People always seem to be in a hurry these days.”
Never
The general meaning of these sentences is to express actions or states that are perceived as constant or unchanging. When we say “people always…”, it suggests that the action or behavior is a consistent trait or habit. For example, “People always ask for directions when they are lost” implies that it’s a common reaction for individuals to seek help when they’re unsure of their location.
On the other hand, when we say “things never…” or “people never…”, it indicates an action or state that does not happen or is not perceived to happen. For instance, “Things never change in this small town” suggests a lack of change or progress in a particular place.
These sentences are generalizations and may not be true for every individual or situation. They are often used to emphasize a point or express a personal observation or opinion.
A search on iWeb for _nn _rr _vv0 requires some manual search for the ‘indefinite frequency’ criteria here. The following results show that other adverbs are much more common.
1 INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT 6330
2 INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT 5338
3 PEOPLE JUST LIKE 3220
4 PEOPLE JUST WANT 2901
5 PEOPLE OFTEN ASK 2812
Tech Times6 QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT 2591
7 INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 2255
8 PEOPLE REALLY WANT 2011
9 INFORMATION PLEASE SEE 1997
10 PEOPLE ALWAYS ASK 1527
11 PEOPLE OFTEN THINK 1521
12 STUDENTS ALSO LEARN 1506
13 PEOPLE ALWAYS SAY 1366
14 PEOPLE STILL USE 1344
15 PEOPLE STILL THINK 1334
16 PEOPLE REALLY NEED 1302
17 PEOPLE OFTEN SAY 1301
18 PEOPLE JUST NEED 1289
19 STUDIES ALSO SHOW 1287
20 THINGS NEVER CHANGE 1241
21 PEOPLE ACTUALLY WANT 1186
22 CANT EVEN IMAGINE 1175
23 CANT EVEN BEGIN 1138
24 PEOPLE STILL WANT 1132
25 PEOPLE ALREADY KNOW 1092
26 QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL 1020
27 PEOPLE OFTEN USE 992
28 PEOPLE STILL BELIEVE 956
29 PEOPLE OFTEN FORGET 955
30 QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL 950
31 PEOPLE ALSO USE 930
32 PEOPLE ALWAYS WANT 884
33 INFORMATION PLEASE REFER 875
34 CANT EVEN GET 836
35 PEOPLE ACTUALLY USE 794
36 PEOPLE OFTEN GET 784
37 BENEFITS FAR OUTWEIGH 767
38 INFORMATION PLEASE CLICK 751
39 CANT EVEN TELL 708
40 PEOPLE OFTEN MAKE 704
41 PEOPLE JUST GET 699
42 DETAILS PLEASE SEE 695
43 PEOPLE JUST LOVE 663
44 COMPANIES ALSO OFFER 660
45 MEMBERS ALSO RECEIVE 659
46 PEOPLE NEVER GET 658
47 PEOPLE EITHER LOVE 657
48 PEOPLE OFTEN FEEL 653
49 COMPUTER HARD DRIVE 650
50 PEOPLE STILL NEED 650
51 CANT EVEN REMEMBER 626
52 CANT REALLY SAY 617
53 PEOPLE MISTAKENLY BELIEVE 614
54 PEOPLE STILL LIVE 585
55 STUDIES ALSO SUGGEST 584
56 STUDENTS ALSO RECEIVE 566
57 QUESTIONS PLEASE EMAIL 564
58 ASSISTANCE PLEASE CONTACT 555
59 PEOPLE OFTEN FIND 552
60 PEOPLE REALLY THINK 551
61 DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT 548
62 EYES WIDE SHUT 537
63 PEOPLE JUST USE 537
64 STUDENTS ALSO TAKE 532
65 INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL 530
66 PEOPLE ALWAYS THINK 529
67 QUESTIONS PLEASE ASK 529
68 STUDENTS ALSO PARTICIPATE 529
69 BROWSERS AUTOMATICALLY ACCEPT 526
70 PEOPLE JUST GO 525
71 STUDENTS ALSO NEED 521
72 THINGS JUST HAPPEN 518
73 THINGS REALLY GET 498
74 RULES STILL APPLY 497
75 STUDENTS ALREADY KNOW 485
76 RESPONSIBILITIES ALSO INCLUDE 484
77 PEOPLE ALWAYS SEEM 475
78 QUESTIONS JUST ASK 474
79 PLANS ALSO INCLUDE 465
80 PEOPLE ACTUALLY KNOW 459
81 INTEREST ALSO INCLUDE 457
82 RESULTS ALSO SHOW 457
83 PEOPLE JUST THINK 453
84 DETAILS PLEASE VISIT 451
85 PEOPLE ACTUALLY THINK 446
86 OTHERS JUST WANT 445
87 PEOPLE ALSO NEED 444
88 STATES ALSO REQUIRE 442
89 USB HARD DRIVE 442
90 PEOPLE OFTEN ASSUME 440
91 PEOPLE REALLY LOVE 438
92 PEOPLE REALLY KNOW 437
93 PEOPLE STILL PREFER 430
94 CANT REALLY TELL 427
95 PATRIOTS TIGHT END 426
96 PEOPLE OFTEN WONDER 423
97 PEOPLE REALLY ENJOY 422
98 FIGURES ALSO SHOW 420
99 PEOPLE STILL GET 413
100 INFORMATION PLEASE GO 412