Grammar · Adverbs & Word Order
Adverbs of Frequency
Always, usually, sometimes, never: these words say how often. Learn where to put them with the film Arthur Christmas.
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The rule in one sentenceWords like always and never say how often. Put them before the verb, but after be (am, is, are, was, were).
About the film
Arthur Christmas is a funny film from 2011. Santa and his elves always bring presents to children on Christmas Eve. Santa’s son Arthur usually answers the letters from children, and he is always kind. One year, one child does not get her present, and Arthur wants to help.
What does it do?
These small words answer one question: how often? Some words mean all the time. Some mean not very often. One word means not at all.
Most of the time, the word goes before the verb: Arthur always reads the letters. But with am, is, are, was and were, it goes after be: Arthur is always happy.
Look at the first two tiles. In the first tile, always comes before the verb brings. In the second tile, the verb is is, so always comes after it.
Every year, Santa always visits millions of homes. The elves are never late.
Visits is a normal verb, so always goes before it. Are is a form of be, so never goes after it.
Visual guide
Teacher Teddy’s illustrated guide to this rule is being drawn — the full swipe-through infographic will appear here soon.
How to make it
before the verb — most verbs
Arthur always reads the letters from children.
Steve doesn’t often laugh.
Don’t or doesn’t comes first, then often.Do the elves always work at night?
Do or does, then the person, then always.after be — am, is, are, was, were
Grandsanta is often grumpy.
Arthur isn’t usually brave.
Isn’t or aren’t comes first, then usually.Is Santa always on time?
Is or are first, then the person, then always.When to use each one
before the verb — things people do
after be — how people are
Words that help: which place?
Look at the verb in the sentence. It tells you where the word goes.
before the verb → most verbs
after be → these verbs
Common mistakes
❌ Arthur reads always the letters.
✅ Arthur always reads the letters.
Put always before a normal verb, not after it.
❌ Arthur always is kind.
✅ Arthur is always kind.
With is, the word goes after it.
❌ Always the elves work fast.
✅ The elves always work fast.
Don’t put always at the start. Put it before the verb.
❌ Santa doesn’t never stop.
✅ Santa never stops.
Never already means “not”. Don’t use doesn’t with it.
One more thing
This part is a little harder. You can come back to it later.
Sometimes can move. Longer time words go at the end. You can put sometimes at the start of a sentence. Words like every day, once a year and on Sundays usually go at the end.
✅ Sometimes Arthur falls over in the snow.
✅ Santa visits the children once a year.
Practice: choose the right place
Eight questions. Choose one answer. You get the answer, and why.
1. Santa ___ presents on Christmas Eve.
Brings is a normal verb, so always goes before it.
2. Arthur ___ kind to children.
With is, always goes after it.
3. The elves ___ late.
With are, never goes after it.
4. Grandsanta ___ about the old days.
Talks is a normal verb, so often goes before it.
5. Arthur doesn’t ___ go outside.
Never already means “not”. Use usually after doesn’t.
6. Santa works one night a year. On that night, he ___ works.
It happens every year, so always.
7. Steve ___ busy.
With is, usually goes after it.
8. Arthur ___ falls over.
Falls is the verb here. Don’t add is.
Your turn
Choose one ending. Then listen to your sentence.
Every sentence here is correct. Pick the one that is true for you. Say it out loud too!
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