How to use the adverbs of frequency

1. Adverbs of FrequencyAdverbs of Frequency

2. MEANINGMEANING
• Use the frequency adverbs (FA) to talk
about how often someone does
something.
• Frequency adverbs (FA) can be a word
that expresses frequency or an
adverbial phrase.

3. • Adverbs of frequency tell us how many times something
happens.
 Always = every day
 Usually = happens most days
 Often = many times
 Sometimes= at particular occasions but not all the time
 Rarely = it is not common
 Never = not at any time or not on any occasion
• Adverbs of frequency come between the subject and the
main verb.
Subject Adv. Of
frequency
Simple
present
I always do my
home
work

4. Adverbs of frequency say how often
something happens.
He always studies.
often
usually
100%
50%
0%
always
usually
often
He sometimes studies.
sometimes
He rarely studies.
never never
rarely

5. Adverbs of frequencyAdverbs of frequency
We use frequency adverbs to describe
how often something happenshow often something happens.
alwaysalways
sometimessometimes
usuallyusually
oftenoften
seldomseldom
nevernever

6. adverbs usually come:
after the verb “be”:
eg. Peter is never late for his swimming
lessons.
before any other verbs:
eg. Joan always goes shopping with
her friend, Pat.
Adverbs of frequencyAdverbs of frequency

7. Adverbs of frequencyAdverbs of frequency
• Examples
1. I always brush my teeth before I go to bed.
2. Ann usually has toast for breakfast.
3. Mr. Smith often goes to the park with his dog.
4. We sometimes see Susan down at the shops.
5. They rarely smoke cigars.
6. He never works on the weekend.

8. Hmmm… Well, I am
usually late for class, and I
never do my homework.
Hmmm… Well, I am
usually late for class, and I
never do my homework.
Maybe I need to try
your study habits.
Maybe I need to try
your study habits.
You got an “A+”
again!?!? How do you
do it?
You got an “A+”
again!?!? How do you
do it?
Well, I always do my homework,
and I often ask the teacher for help.
Well, I always do my homework,
and I often ask the teacher for help.I got an “F” again.I got an “F” again.
Study HabitsStudy Habits
I got an “A+.”I got an “A+.”

9. Usually and SometimesUsually and Sometimes
Usually and sometimes can also come at
the beginning or end of a sentence.
Sometimes the dog eats his homework.
The dog sometimes eats his homework.
The dog eats his homework sometimes.

10. 1) study in front of the TV
2) ask the teacher for help
3) be early to class
4) review my grammar notes
5) make flashcards
6) be attentive in class
Practice 1Practice 1
Work with a partner. Describe your
study habits. Use adverbs of
frequency and the phrases below.
Example: study at my computer
100%
50%
0%
always
usually
often
sometimes
never
rarely
I sometimes study at
my computer.
I sometimes study at
my computer.

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

12. Practice 2Practice 2
With a partner, ask
questions with how often.
Follow the examples.
How often _______ you…
1) study in a group
2) be bored in class
3) listen to the teacher
4) practice speaking English
5) get an “A” on a test
6) be confused in class
Example:
• fall asleep studying
• be tired
How often do you fall asleep studying?
How often are you tired?

13. ItIt’’s time to practices time to practice
1. Joey __________ goes to the fun fair.
Fun fair
2. We are good students. We __________
greet
teachers.
nevernever
alwaysalways
alwaysalways usually oftenusually often
sometimes seldomsometimes seldom
nevernever

14. 3. The children ______________ watch films
during the week.
Fri
&
Sun
sometimessometimes
Mon,
4. Bobby ____________ plays football
during
the week.
oftenoften
alwaysalways usually oftenusually often
sometimes seldomsometimes seldom
nevernever

15. 5. We ___________ brush our teeth in the
morning.
alwaysalways
6. Ray likes reading very much.
He ____________ goes to the library
during the week.
usuallyusually
every
day
Mon, Wed,
alwaysalways usually oftenusually often
sometimes seldomsometimes seldom
nevernever

16. WritingWriting
1. How often do you work on the weekends?
2. How often do you drink coffee in the morning?
3. How often are you late for work or school?
4. How often do you go to bed after midnight?
5. How often do you practice English on the weekends?