Adverbs of Frequency in Negative Sentences

Adverbs of frequency are placed before the main verb of affirmative sentences. However, in negative sentences, the adverbs often and usually can be placed before the auxiliary verb or before the main verb. Let us consider a few examples.

The sentences He doesn't often consider the consequences of his actions and He often doesn't consider the consequences of his actions are both correct. However, the two sentences are not identical in meaning. The first sentence means that he seldom considers the consequences of his actions, and the second means that he often fails to consider the consequences of his actions.

Let us consider two more sentences. She usually doesn't have a big breakfast and She doesn't usually have a big breakfast are both correct. In the first sentence the meaning is that it is typical for the person not to have a big breakfast, and in the second the meaning is that it is not typical for the person to have a big breakfast. The first sentence can be paraphrased as follows: It is common for her not to have a big breakfast, and the second sentence can be paraphrased as follows: It is not common for her to have a big breakfast. The sentences have different scopes of negation.

In affirmative sentences it is common to put adverbs of frequency before the main verb. With negative sentences, this is not always the case. The adverbs often and usually can be placed before the auxiliary verb or before the main verb.