To say how often something happens, Dutch uses _altijd_ (always), _meestal_ (usually), _vaak_ (often), _soms_ (sometimes), _zelden_ (rarely) and _nooit_ (never). In a sentence that starts with the subject, these words normally come after the verb, where English usually puts them in front: _Ik fiets vaak_ means I often cycle. And because _nooit_ already means "not ever", you don't add _niet_ to it.
The pattern
In a sentence that starts with the subject, put the frequency word after the conjugated verb (the verb form that changes with the person, like _fiets_ or _fietst_). A short object pronoun such as _het_, _hem_ or _me_ normally comes between them.
- From most to least: _altijd_, _meestal_, _vaak_, _soms_, _zelden_, _nooit_. In everyday speech you also hear _bijna nooit_ (almost never).
- Subject, verb, frequency word: _Sanne werkt vaak thuis._
- Verb, short pronoun, frequency word: _Ik zie hem soms._ (More on these pronouns in [object pronouns](#/lesson/object-pronouns).)
- A second verb usually waits at the end: _Ik moet vaak wachten._
- A frequency word can also open the sentence. Then the verb still comes second and the subject follows it: _Soms werk ik thuis._ The same happens after other openers: _Op maandag werk ik altijd thuis._ (See [inversion](#/lesson/inversion).)
- _nooit_ already contains "not", so you don't add _niet_.
Examples
| Ik fiets altijd naar mijn werk. | I always cycle to work. |
|---|---|
| Sanne neemt meestal de trein. | Sanne usually takes the train. |
| Het regent vaak in november. | It often rains in November. |
| Ahmed werkt soms thuis. | Ahmed sometimes works from home. |
| Mei eet zelden vlees. | Mei rarely eats meat. |
| Joris drinkt nooit koffie. | Joris never drinks coffee. |
| Ik zie hem vaak in de supermarkt. | I often see him in the supermarket. |
| Lotte helpt me altijd. | Lotte always helps me. |
| Bij de huisarts moet ik vaak wachten. | At the GP's I often have to wait. |
Why it works this way
A Dutch main clause keeps a fixed spot for the conjugated verb: second place (see [verb second](#/lesson/verb-second)). In a sentence that starts with the subject, English lets always and often slip in front of the verb. Dutch saves that spot for the verb, so the frequency word waits behind it. If you speak German, this will feel familiar.
Short pronouns like _het_, _hem_ and _me_ are light and unstressed, so they cling to the verb and get there first.
Meaning matters too. _Ik drink vaak thee_ says you drink tea many times. _Ik drink meestal thee_ says tea is your usual choice when you drink something.
_Joris rookt niet_ and _Joris rookt nooit_ can both tell you Joris is not a smoker; _nooit_ adds "at no time". One negative word does the job. If you speak Spanish, you may be used to two negative words in one sentence. In standard Dutch, you don't add _niet_ to _nooit_ when you mean never.
Remember: verb, little pronoun, how often. _Ik zie hem soms._
Watch out
- Not: _Ik altijd fiets naar mijn werk._ Say: _Ik fiets altijd naar mijn werk._ (the verb comes straight after _ik_)
- Not: _Ik vergeet altijd het._ Say: _Ik vergeet het altijd._ (the short pronoun goes before the frequency word)
- Not: _Soms ik werk thuis._ Say: _Soms werk ik thuis._ (the verb stays in second place)
- Not: _Daan rookt nooit niet._ Say: _Daan rookt nooit._ (_nooit_ already means "not ever")
Quick check
- Fill in the word for "usually": _Priya gaat ... met de trein naar Amsterdam._
- Fix the word order, keeping _Yara_ first: _Yara altijd komt te laat._
- Fix the word order, keeping _ik_ first: _Ik vind soms het moeilijk._
- Mei never cycles in the rain. Remove one word: _Mei fietst nooit niet in de regen._
Answers
- _meestal_ (usually; it follows the verb _gaat_)
- _Yara komt altijd te laat._ (verb second, frequency word right after it)
- _Ik vind het soms moeilijk._ (the short pronoun _het_ comes before _soms_)
- _Mei fietst nooit in de regen._ (remove _niet_: _nooit_ is already negative)
Use it today
Write four true sentences about your week, each with a different frequency word, for example _Ik fiets meestal naar mijn werk_ or _Ik kook zelden_. Read them aloud and check that each frequency word comes after the verb.