Adverbs of frequency (soms, vaak, nooit, ...)

What are adverbs of frequency?

In this lesson you learn adverbs of frequency in Dutch. These words answer the question: “How often?”

• altijd – always
• nooit – never
• dikwijls – often / frequently
• soms – sometimes
• af en toe – now and then / occasionally
• telkens – every time

We use them a lot for routines, habits and sports.

1. Basic word order: main clause (normal sentence)

A main clause is a normal sentence that can stand alone:

Subject – verb – …

For adverbs of frequency the basic rule is:

• In a main clause, the adverb usually comes directly after the verb.

Think: the adverb “sticks” to the first verb.

2. Word order in a subclause (als, omdat, dat…)

A subclause is a sentence that starts with words like als, omdat, dat, wanneer etc.

Example of a subclause:

• Als ik moe ben, …
• Omdat ik weinig tijd heb, …

In a subclause the conjugated verb goes to the end:

… subclause word – subject – … – verb

For adverbs of frequency the rule is now:

• In a subclause, the adverb usually comes directly before the verb.

Again: the adverb “sticks” to the verb, but now the verb is at the end, so the adverb stands before it.

3. Special pattern with telkens

Telkens often appears in the structure:

• Telkens als + subclause = Every time (that) …

Here, telkens stands together with als at the start of the subclause.

4. Quick checks: is the sentence correct?

Use these small tests to check your own sentences.

1. Is it a main clause?
   • Pattern: Subject – verb – …
   • Then: Subject + verb + adverb + rest
   • Correct: Ik fiets nooit naar mijn werk.
     Wrong: Ik nooit fiets naar mijn werk.
2. Is it a subclause?
   • Starts with als, omdat, dat, wanneer, terwijl etc.
   • Verb goes to the end.
   • Then: subclause word + subject + … + adverb + verb
   • Correct: Omdat ik weinig tijd heb, sport ik soms thuis.
     Correct: Als ik tijd heb, ga ik soms naar de sportschool.
     (Here ik ga soms is a main clause after the comma.)
3. Can you move the adverb?
   • Sometimes both positions are accepted, but the meaning is almost the same.
   • For A1 it is best to always use the “stick to the verb” rule.

5. Meaning differences: what is the nuance?

These words all talk about frequency, but with different “strength”.

Use this scale to choose your word when you speak about your own routines.

6. Step‑by‑step: build your own sentence

1. Choose the verb and subject.
   • Example: ik – sporten
2. Decide: main clause or subclause?
   • Main clause: Ik sport …
   • Subclause: Als ik tijd heb, …
3. Choose the adverb (how often?).
   • altijd, nooit, soms, dikwijls, af en toe, telkens
4. Place the adverb with the verb.
   • Main clause: Ik sport altijd in de ochtend.
   • Subclause: Als ik tijd heb, sport ik altijd in de ochtend.
5. Self‑check.
   • Is the adverb next to the verb? (After the verb in a main clause, before the verb in a subclause.)
   • Does the word express the frequency you mean?

7. Typical mistakes and how to avoid them

• Adverb too early in the sentence
  • Altijd ik sport in de sportschool.
  • ✅ Ik sport altijd in de sportschool.
• Forgetting that a clause is a subclause
  • Als ik moe ben, ik ga soms naar huis.
  • Split it correctly: Als ik moe ben (subclause), ga ik soms naar huis (main clause).
  • ✅ Als ik moe ben, ga ik soms naar huis.
• Using English pattern for “never”
  • English: I never go.
  • Dutch: Ik ga nooit naar de sportschool.
  • Same rule: adverb after the verb in a main clause.

8. Can you already do this? (self‑check)

If you can answer yes to these questions, you master this topic at A1 level:

• Can I choose a correct adverb to say how often I do something?
• Can I put the adverb directly after the verb in a main clause?
• Can I recognize a subclause and put the adverb before the verb at the end?
• Can I use telkens als… to say “every time that …”?

If one answer is “not yet”, go back to the rule, look at 2–3 examples, and make your own sentence about your real life (work, sport, commuting).

This will prepare you well for conversation in class.