Adverbs of Frequency
We use some adverbs to describe how frequently we do an activity.
Never
Often
Sometimes
Always
Usually
Rarely
Subject + frequency adverbs + verb
I never go out
You usually arrive late
She rarely play tennis
I often go to the cinema
We sometimes watch tv
Every day the drive to work
I sometimes go shopping on saturday but usually i sleep late.
We use ' how often' to ask about frequency.
We use frequency adverbes to talk about how often we do things.
The position of adverbes of frequency
We place adverbs of frequency :
- before verbs
I never go to the cinema alone
Hakim rarely goes to the theatre
After the auxiliary verb
Lucy is usually tired in the evening
Fatima is usualy at home on sunday.
Between the auxiliary verb and main verb :
You can always find him at home
In negative sentences, their position is :
He doesn't often go to the movies.
She isn't usually here in the mirning.
We never use never in negative sentences
We can also use other phrases to answer questions with ' hiw often ':
How often do you..?
Once a month.
Every fraiday.
Occasionally / never
In questions
Do you always watch football o tv ?
Is hicham usually absent on wednesday ?
Notice the position of the adverbs of frequency
Affirmative sentences
I often go to the cinema.
Science fiction film are never boring.
You can always hear different kinds of music.
The actors have always got much talent and skill.
Negative sentense
He doesn't often go to the movies.
She isn't usually here in the morning.
Interrogative sentense
Does your brother sometimes plat the piano?
Isn't hassan usually here by 8:00 ?
Do you ever go to the movies on wednesday?
Exercice
Place the adverbs of frequency in the right place.
Mary : what programs do you watch on Tv ( usually ).
Afaf : films
Mary :what type of serials do you see? ( often ).
Afaf : soap operas they are good fun ( usually ).
Mary : what zre the about ?
Afaf : the episodes are about daily events and problems.
Mary : how about musicals ? Do you watch them ? ( ever ).
Afaf : i do. The acting is ok, bur the songs are terrible. ( rarely ) (sometimes) ( always).
How about you?
Mary : well.. i watch war films and thrillers. ( occasionally).
Afaf : oh ! But they're full of violence and crime. ( always).
Mary : yes, but famousactors star in them. (usually).