Time and frequency adverbs

Time and frequency words often cause confusion to English learners. Here are some exceptions concerning time words.

Adverbs of frequency generally go before the main verb. Examples are: regularly, usually, normally, always, often, sometimes, often etc. Some of these words can also go at the beginning or end of a sentence.

Example:

• I sometimes buy comics.
• Sometimes I buy comics.
• I buy comics sometimes.

If there is an auxiliary verb, the adverb goes after the auxiliary verb and before the main verb. If there are two auxiliary verbs, the adverb goes between them.

• I sometimes visit my grandparents. (NOT I visit sometimes my grandparents.)
• I am sometimes visited by my grandparents. (NOT I sometimes am visited by my grandparents.)

If negative adverbs go at the beginning of a sentence, they must be followed by an inverted word order. That means the auxiliary verb goes before the subject. Examples of negative adverbs are: rarely, never and seldom.

• Never have I seen such a mess. OR I have never seen such a mess. (NOT Never I have seen such a mess.)
• He rarely watches films. OR Rarely does he watch films. (NOT Rarely he watches films.)
• I have hardly had any rest since morning. OR Hardly have I had any rest since morning. (NOT Hardly I have had any rest since morning.)