Adverbs of time, place and frequency

When you use it

1. 1

   When: time words

   • Ich arbeite heute im Büro.I'm working in the office today.
   • Gestern hatten wir ein wichtiges Meeting.Yesterday we had an important meeting.

   heute, gestern and morgen say when something happens.

   + 1 more example
2. 2

   Where: place words

   • Der Schlüssel liegt dort drüben.The key is over there.
   • Das Büro vom Chef ist oben im ersten Stock.The boss's office is upstairs on the first floor.

   hier, dort, oben and unten say where something or someone is.

   + 1 more example
3. 3

   How often: frequency words

   • Ich trinke morgens immer Kaffee.I always drink coffee in the morning.
   • Er kommt manchmal zu spät.He sometimes arrives late.

   immer, oft, manchmal and nie say how often you do something.

   + 1 more example

The forms

Step by step

1. 1

   Ask what you want to say

   When? Use a time word. Where? Use a place word. How often? Use a frequency word.

2. 2

   Put it after the verb

   In a normal sentence, immer or oft comes right after the verb, or after the subject pronoun.

   • Ich trinke oft Kaffee.I often drink coffee.
3. 3

   Keep the form

   Do not add an ending. heute, hier and oft always look the same.

Common mistakes

• ✕ Ich immer trinke Kaffee.

  ✓ Ich trinke immer Kaffee.

  The verb stays in position 2. immer comes after it, not before.

• ✕ Wir oft arbeiten am Wochenende.

  ✓ Wir arbeiten oft am Wochenende.

  Not like English "we often work". The verb comes before oft.

• ✕ Gestern ich habe gearbeitet.

  ✓ Gestern habe ich gearbeitet. (or: Ich habe gestern gearbeitet.)

  Adverb in position 1? Then comes the verb, then the subject.

• Starting with an adverb+
• Place words often come later+

Don't mix it up