Question about Frequency Adverbs

Question

Hi teachers,Are there any question words, apart from how often, that can't include a frequency adverb?Thanks in advance

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

how is a question word, as are who, what, when, where, and why. None of them include frequency adverbs.

how often is not a question word, but a combination of question word and frequency adverb.

I think you may be asking for a list of combinations that consist of a question word and a frequency adverb and that are in some way forbidden in English. I don't know if there is such a list. I can't imagine anyone being interested enough to list such things. Besides, I'm not sure there is any combination like that at all. It seems to me that someone clever enough could make a grammatical question from any combination of question word and frequency adverb. The acceptability of such combinations is most likely dependent on context more than on any grammatical rules.

Do you have any combinations like that in mind?

CJ

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Hi CalifJim,

As always thank you for your reply.

CalifJimhow is a question word, as are who, what, when, where, and why. None of them include frequency adverbs.

None of them? Can't we say?

Who is always late fo class?

Who is sometimes early for class?

Who always arrives late for class?

Why are you always late for class?

Where does he always go on Saturday night?

What does he always do after class?

Why is he always angry?

When ... ? I can't find just one.

Now I got it. You mean the combination of these question words + a frequency adverb.

Sorry, I didn't catch it before.

See, Writing is an excellent method, at least for me, to understand things.

CalifJimhow often is not a question word, but a combination of question word and frequency adverb.

I never thought about it, but you are absolutely right. Good tip! Yes, it is.

I've always said, 'How often introduces questions about frequency, how far about distance, and so on'. Never though about the two parts separately.

CalifJimDo you have any combinations like that in mind?

No, I don't. I have asked this because we can use frequency adverbs in Questions and Yes/No questions. As well as in Affirmative and Negative sentences, of course.

TS

CalifJim · Answer

Thinking SpainWhen ... ? I can't find just one.

Is this the kind of thing you had in mind?

I have to ask the boss an important question about taking some time off. When is he usually in a good mood?

Thinking SpainI've always said, 'How often introduces questions about frequency, how far about distance, and so on'. Never though about the two parts separately.

how plus an adjective or adverb is the general pattern.

how big, how small, how tall, how short, how honest, how smart, how interesting, ...

how often, how fast, how slowly, how early, how late, how soon, how near, how far, ...

CJ

Tenacious Learner · Answer

i

CalifJims this the kind of thing you had in mind?
I have to ask the boss an important question about taking some time off. When is he usually in a good mood?

That's right. This is one of them.

Again I was too sleepy when I replied.

CalifJimhow big, how small, how tall, how short, how honest, how smart, how interesting, ...
how often, how fast, how slowly, how early, how late, how soon, how near, how far, ..

So, they aren't question words, they are as you've said, 'how plus an adjective or adverb'.

Thank you

Regards

TS

Question about Frequency Adverbs

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions