Instructions
We use adverbs of frequency – like sometimes or usually – to say how often we do things, or how often things happen.
I never have any problems with adverbs of frequency.
OK, let's see what you know. We use adverbs of frequency in this order, according to their meaning.
| 100% | 0% | |||||
| always | usually/normally | often | sometimes | occasionally | hardly ever | never |
Are there any missing?
I think that’s most of them. You could include frequently, with usually. We use not very often too.
Very good, you’re right. These are the most common adverbs, although there are more.
They always hang out together.
The Northern Lights are usually green.
You normally see them best in September or March.
It’s often cloudy.
What do you notice about the position of the adverbs?
They are usually before the main verb, or between the auxiliary and the main verb. But they come after the verb to be.
Excellent! Can they also be at the beginning or the end of the sentence?
Yes, I think so. 'Sometimes I'm alone.' That sounds OK.
Yes, we can use some adverbs of frequency at the beginning or end of a sentence for emphasis.
Occasionally I meet her for a coffee.
We can use usually, often, sometimes and occasionally at the beginning of a sentence, and sometimes and often at the end. We use adverb expressions like a lot or not + (very) much after the main verb too.
She travels a lot.
He doesn’t study very much.
Be careful with never. It is already negative, so we can’t use it with not.
I never go to the supermarket with my mother.
I’ve just remembered some more expressions! What about once a week, twice a year, etc.?
Oh yes, I’d forgotten about those.
Take the medicine three times a day.
We usually go swimming twice a month.
You see them once in a lifetime, if you travel.
You see, I’m not always annoying.
OK, sorry. I’m not always right either. Usually, but not always!
Worksheets and downloads
Transcript
Discussion
What are your hobbies? How often do you do them?
Comments
My hobby is camping and climbing. I often do them when it is good weather.
My favourite hoppies are playing football,watching films and swimming.I usually go to the club to practice it well.In my free time I watch films .I usually go swimming twice a month.I never play basketball because it's boring for me
My hobbies are to search and learn something interesting and cool. I always do that every day. Thanks.
Cool! What have you found today, for example? ;)
I found the adverbs of frequency a bit confusing because the explanation is not clear to me, but I think that if I review this lesson, it will be clear to me.
Most of my hobbies are trelated to art. One my resent hobbies is drawing fanarts. I love watching films and then to draw some characters. Most of them are superheroes, but I also like drawing some fantasy characters.
My hobbies are learning english, studying music and reading amazing books. I do these things every day!
I always love watching movies , shopping and travelling around the world.
Eh, sorry. Why did they pronounce 'ofTen' and no 'oFen'? I always though it was pronounced 'oFen'. Thanks.
Well noticed! Actually, both pronunciations are in use and they're both considered correct, since they are listed in dictionaries. I think the pronunciation with a silent "t" is probably more common, though. :)
Jonathan (LearnEnglish Teens Team)
i usually improve English every evening, especially Grammar, Writing and Reading
I listening to English music everyday , also i like to watch English movies .
in my free time i like to swim, learn math ,,etc
i go to school everey days, i like so school but i believe that study is the answer to all the problem that we have
I like watching videos and swimming.
I have learned three different methods of swimming by myself. I think swimming is really wonderful.
I like singing and playing badminton.
I zi g everyday but p,aying badminton id rare
I like travel , basketball , play guitar but I can't do beacause my town where I live is poor. All the parents only think about children's education so someone usually thinks doing these things're waste of time. But finally, I will take part in a guitar club. That's amazing ! I don't know how to play guitar but I'll try the best and also study more hard to prove that we can do what we love at the same time study well.
My hobbies are listening to music,doing a sport and learning english.I always listening to music and I do a sport twice a week for my health.Finally I normally learn english because ı want to improve my english.:)
I like listening to music ,singing and watching TV
I like watching film and listening music in free time. Sometime I play some sport with my friends. And I love go to fishing with my dad, We often go together at the weekend.
I'm keen on playing musical instrument and I can play the piano. I played it a lot at the weekend several years ago. However, I hardly ever play it now because I very busy on studying.
Hey allow me to say that soccer is my hobby. Every little time i got i make it a point that I call up my pals to go and play soccer. Even at evening time after finishing my homework i watch soccer and copy some different dribbling skills from my favorite footballer Ronaldo.
My hobby to spin from elastic bands. I do it always. Sometimes i spin figures and sometimes i spin bracelets.
Wow... hope you are not spinning around in aimkess circles!
( ･᷄ὢ･᷅ )
I always wake up at 6:30 am because I go to school.
I sometimes go to the park if I finish my homework, before I go to the park.
I never call my friend because I don´t like.
I usually go tu Kumon on Tuesday and Thursday.
I often watch T.v. because I have homework to do.
My hobbies? I'm a lot addicted to reading, so I spend most of my free time curled up with a good book. Or maybe I'll watch the telly. Or I'll just do the same in YouTube. But I'll draw something for sure. Recently I drew Pikachu, and I'm trying to draw Mew and Mewtwo. I drew Hilary Tabuchina from Beyblade Vforce, and I'm currently drawing Kenny. Soon I'll finish the Blade Breakers and move on to other characters. Same with Pokemon. I sometimes draw things like posters for my sister. If I can't do any of the above, I'll definitely write a poem or a story. That's just what I'm about to do now. And the title is... Geez I haven't got any idea!!!
My hobbies are drawing,reading books and watching reality shows. I go to drawing class in the evening once a week.I always go to school library to borrow books. And I usually go to British Library twice a month.But I rarely go to American Center Library coz it's far away from my home.Whenever I'm free,I watch my favourite reality shows such as Runningman,Friends over flower and Master Chief Junior.
My hobby is learning English and I Learn this language every day!
Can I ask a question? Is there not idiom learning in here?
If not yet, can you make it for us? I think it's quite important and useful to person wanting to take part in competitions, like IELTS.
Thank you so much!
Hi lekimkhanh0109,
Thanks for your comment and your suggestion. We don't have a section on idioms at the moment but we have a video coming soon in our YouTuber section where Sophia is going to talk about idioms. Keep an eye on YouTubers to see it soon: http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/study-break/youtubers
Best wishes, Jo (LearnEnglish Teens Team)
My hobbies is watching a movie. horrors movie is my favourite. i often watch the movies at night in my laptop after i finished my job. The most my favourite movie is The Walking Dead, I had followed the story since 4 years ago.
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