ADVERBS OF FREQUENCY

(Adverbs of Frequency)

The Simple Present Tense

How often ..? How frequently ?

always, usually, often, sometimes,
rarely, never




100%
80%
50%
20%

always
usually
often
sometimes
rarely
seldom
never

0%

I always brush my teeth before I go to bed.
I usually have toast for breakfast.
I often go to the park with my dog.
I sometimes drinks tea.
I rarely smoke cigars.
I seldom have a chance to go to the theatre.
I never work on the weekend.
(Adverbs of Frequency)
(main
verb)
verb to be verb to be

verb to be

1.


Subject + adverbs of frequency + main verb (
verb to be)
The teacher always shouts at the class.
The student often talks in class.
Subject + main verb (verb to be) + adverbs of frequency
She is always late for her morning class.
The weather in Singapore is never cold.
2.


(not)
Subject + do/does not + adverbs of frequency + main verb
The manager does not often drive his car to work.
Bob is not usually happy at work.

3.


Do/Does + Subject + adverbs of frequency + main verb ( verb to be)
Verb to be + Subject + adverbs of frequency +
Do your sons sometimes travel by train?
Does your father usually walk to the office?
Is your brother often late for work?

1. sometimes, often usually

Sometimes they come and stay with us.
I play tennis sometimes.
Usually I do my homework in the evening.
He watches TV. Very often.
Do you drink whiskey often?
2. rarely (
) seldom (
)

very

We see them rarely.
John eats meat very seldom.

Adverbs of frequency - Exercise

Rewrite each sentence with the adverb of frequency (in brackets) in its correct position.

Example: I play tennis on Sundays. (often).

Answer: I often play tennis on Sundays.

1) Have you been to London? (ever)

Have you ever been to London?_________________________________
2) Peter doesn't get up before seven. (usually)
Peter doesnt usually get up before seven_____________________________
3) Our friends must write tests. (often)
Our friends often must write tests_________________________________
4) They go swimming in the lake. (sometimes)
They sometimes go swimming in the lake__________________________________
5) The weather is bad in November. (always)
The weather is always bad in November.__________________________________
6) Peggy and Frank are late. (usually)
Peggy and Frank are usually late.____________________________________
7) I have met him before. (never)
I never have met him before. __________________________________
8) John watches TV. (seldom)
John seldom watches TV ______________________________________
9) I was in contact with my sister. (often)
I was often in contact with my sister _____________________________________
10) She will love him. (always)
She always will love him __________________________________________
11) He listens to the radio. (often)
He often listens to the radio __________________________
12) They read a book. (sometimes)
They sometimes read a book __________________________________________
13) Pete gets angry. (never)
Pete never gets angry ___________________________________________
14) Tom is very friendly. (usually)
Tom is very friendly usually. ________________________________________
15) I take sugar in my coffee. (sometimes)
I sometimes take sugar in my coffee ____________________________________
16) Ramon and Frank are hungry. (often)
Ramon and Frank are often hungry ________________________
17) My grandmother goes for a walk in the evening. (always)

My grandmother always goes for a walk in the evening______________

18) Walter helps his father in the kitchen. (usually)
Walter usually helps his father in the kitchen ____________________________
19) They watch TV in the afternoon. (never)
They never watch TV in the afternoon _______________________________
20) Christine smokes. (never)
Christine never smokes. ______________________________________

1 Carlos is an excellent student. He

_________ goes to class.
always
usually
sometimes
seldom
never
2 I hate vegetables. I _________ eat
carrots.
always
usually
sometimes
seldom
never
3 Robert goes to the gym only two or
three times a year. He ________ goes
to the gym.
always
never
usually
seldom
4 Harold never leaves the college on
Friday. He ________ eats at the
cafeteria on Fridays.
always
never
seldom

5 Ms. Sirachana is always in a good

mood. She is _________ sad.
always
usually
never
6 Teresa is not a pleasant person. She
is ___________ in a bad mood.
never
seldom
always
7 My sister usually drives to work
with a friend. She _________ drives
alone.
never
always
usually
seldom
8 I never lend money to Curtis. He
______ pays me back.
sometimes
always
never
usually

9 Susan goes to the beach whenever she can. She _______ misses a chance to go to the
ocean.

never
always
usually
10 It almost always rains in Seattle. The sun ________ shines there.
always
usually
seldom