Column: Apply sunscreen early and often

0

Commentary by Curtis Honeycutt

Did you know that redheaded people only make up 1 to 2 percent of the world’s population? There’s a reason we are so scarce: the sun. I’m that person who can get a sunburn on a cloudy day. People have been known to get secondhand sunburns by just standing near me outside on a sunny day. I’m so white I get a moonburn. I’m like a vampire or something — I step out into the light of day and basically just burst into flames. This is why I always apply sunscreen. I apply it early and often. 

If you noticed, I used a few adverbs just now (always, early, often). Not only did I employ a handful of adverbs, but I used a handful of adverbs of frequency. Adverbs of frequency describe how often something happens. They include always, usually, sometimes, never, frequently, often, then and weekly. And, I have more good news for you: Adverbs of frequency come with their own set of rules.

When your sentence has more than one verb, use your adverb of frequency before the primary verb. Here’s an example: I have often received a sunburn during the month of November. Here, we sandwiched our adverb of frequency (often) between the bread slices of our sentence’s two verbs (have and received).

If your sentence contains only one verb, place your adverb of frequency after your subject and before your verb. Curtis never tans. He always wears a swim shirt to the pool.

We use adverbs of frequency to signify things that happen on a routine basis. Because of this, we usually employ these adverbs with the present simple tense. 

If you want to “throw shade,” as the youths say, when you’re using an adverb of frequency in the negative while forming a question, place your adverb before your primary verb. Are you normally so angry, or are you just like this on days that end in “-ay”?  

Most of the time, place definite adverbs of frequency (including finally, last week, today, monthly and already) either at the beginning or at the end of your sentence. When the adverb is the focus of your sentence, save it for the end: I will do the laundry tomorrow. When it’s not the emphasis of your sentence, use a definite adverb of frequency at the beginning: Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever do laundry again.

Practicing good grammar — much like applying sunscreen — is a fantastic life decision. I encourage you to do it early and often.


Current Morning Briefing Logo

Stay CURRENT with our daily newsletter (M-F) and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox for free!

Select list(s) to subscribe to



By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Share.

Current Morning Briefing Logo

Stay CURRENT with our daily newsletter (M-F) and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox for free!

Select list(s) to subscribe to



By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact