Frequency Adverbs &

Expressions
Grammar

Put these frequency adverbs

in order
100 % -- Always
90 99 % -- Usually
75 90% -- Often
25 75 % -- Sometimes
10 25% -- Seldom
1 10% -- Rarely
0% -- Never

rarely
seldom
usually

often

Put these frequency expressions

in order

once every three months twice a day three

times a week every Saturday once a month
once or twice a year every couple of weeks

Look at the sentences 1-3. Then

complete the rules with before,
after or at the end of
1. The
British
are
always happy when
theyre socialising.
2. British people
usually go on
holiday once a
year.
3. 35% normally do
some gardening
every weekend.

RULES
Frequency
adverbs
go .................. the
verb be.
Frequency
adverbs
go ............................
other verbs.
Other
frequency
expressions
usually
go .............................
... the sentence.

Adverbs
Adverbs of
of Frequency
Frequency

A: Does your husband cook for you?

B: Oh, yes, once in a blue moon!

Study
Study Habits
Habits
You
gotI need
an
Well,
A+
am
Maybe
toI try
Well, I always doHmmm
my homework,
usually
again!?!?
late
How
for
class,
do
you
and I
your
study
habits.
and I often
ask
teacher
for
help.
I got
an
Ithe
got
A+.
an
F
again.
never dodomy
it?homework.

Adverbs
Adverbs of
of Frequency
Frequency 11
Adverbs of frequency say how often
something happens.
always

100%

usually
often
sometimes

He
studies.
He always
rarely studies.
usually
He sometimes
studies.
never
often

50%

rarely
never

0%

Adverbs
Adverbs of
of Frequency
Frequency 22
Adverbs of frequency come after the verb
be.

She is sometimes late.

The students are never bored.

Adverbs
Adverbs of
of Frequency
Frequency 33
Adverbs of frequency usually come before
other verbs.

She often checks her answers.

He usually pays attention in class.

Usually
Usually and
and Sometimes
Sometimes
Usually and sometimes can also come at
the beginning or end of a sentence.

The dog eats his homework sometimes.

Sometimes the dog eats his homework.
The dog sometimes eats his homework.

Practice 1

Work with a partner. Describe your

study habits. Use adverbs of
frequency and the phrases below.

Example: study at my computer

1) Istudy
in frontstudy
of theatTV
sometimes
2) ask my
thecomputer.
teacher for help
3) be early to class
4) review my grammar notes

always

100%

usually
often
sometimes

5) make flashcards

rarely

6) be attentive in class

never

50%

0%

Questions
Questions with
with Ever
Ever
Use ever in yes/no questions. Ever means
at any time.

Are the tests ever easy?

Does he ever get an A?

Be
Be Careful!
Careful!
Do not use ever in affirmative statements.

Yes!
Do
youI ever
ever come
come on
on time.
time?
I always
time.
I never come
come on
late.

Questions
Questions with
with How
How Often
Often
Use how often to ask about frequency.
How often do
you study with
a partner?

I rarely study
with a partner.

Practice 2

With a partner, ask questions

with how often. Follow the
examples.

How often _______ you

Example:
falloften
asleep
studying
1)How
study
in ado
group
you fall asleep studying?
often in
areclass
you tired?
bebored
tired
2)How
be
3) listen to the teacher
4) practice speaking English
5) get an A on a test
6) be confused in class