Adverbs of frequency

Oliver and Alfie are at home when Daisy and Amy arrive. Sophie is in Hammerfest in northern Norway.

Instructions

As you watch the video, look at the examples of adverbs of frequency. They are in red in the subtitles. Then read the conversation below to learn more. Finally, do the grammar exercises to check you understand, and can use, adverbs of frequency correctly.

Transcript

Oliver: No, no! I can never answer the yellow questions – they're about history or politics or something, I think. I'll have an orange question, please, Mr Anderson! They're about sports, right?
Alfie: They're not always about sports – they're sometimes about food and drink.
Oliver: Not a problem, Mr Anderson. Let's hear it.
Alfie: Hmmmm. Oh no! Oh this is so easy!! Pff. How often ...
Oliver: Hang on. Back in a second.
Alfie: Who was it?
Oliver: Oh, just Daisy and Amy. Daisy's lost her keys again. She loses them about twice a week! Honestly. I found them in the fridge once! Dizzy Daisy!
Alfie: Who's Amy? The one that moved here a few months ago?
Oliver: Yeah.
Alfie: What's she like?
Oliver: I don't know. Seventeen. Straight black hair. Um. Nice. Quite serious, I suppose. Um. Very intelligent – she probably usually wins at this game ... though playing with us, that wouldn't be difficult. What was the question?
Alfie: Aah, oh yes. How often is the ...
Daisy: Hi, guys! Amy, this is Alfie – he's Oliver's best friend. They always hang out together.
Oliver: Not always! Sometimes I'm alone, you know!
Daisy: OK! They almost always hang out together.
Oliver: That's better! Er, Alfie ... ! Say hello!
Alfie: Sorry, yes. Hi. Um. Have a seat, have a seat. We're playing ... um ... we're ... you know ... it's much more fun with four players, would you like to ...
Daisy: Saved by the bell, hey?  Hi, Mum. Oliver, hey, it's Mum. How's Norway? Have you seen them? Oliver!
Oliver: Amy, do you want to play for me? He always gets the green questions wrong. Ask him green questions. 
Daisy: Mum's seen the Northern Lights!
Oliver: Oh, wow! What are they like?
Sophie: Well, they're green mostly. Apparently, they're usually green – but they're ... oh, they're so difficult to describe – they're magical! Living where we live, you either never see them or you see them once in a lifetime, if you travel. Oh, we'll have to come to Hammerfest as a family one year. The problem is you normally see them best in September or March, like now, and you two are always studying at those times ...
Amy: Yeah, they're normally green because of the oxygen, but sometimes you can see red too – that's from nitrogen. Aurora Borealis. The Northern Lights. Aurora was a Greek goddess and ... sorry. Look at the sky out there! It's beautiful! It's really, really clear tonight.
Alfie: It is, isn't it? It's hardly ever that clear here – there's normally too much light pollution. And of course, it's often cloudy.
Amy: I love looking at the stars. Astronomy is fascinating, and the stars and constellations often have wonderful names, like Andromeda ... that's a constellation.
Alfie: You learn something new every day. When you're looking at the stars, can you recognise them?
Amy: Not always. But quite often, yes.
Alfie: Right! Coats on! Astronomy class in the garden in three minutes! After you, Miss Hao. Daisy and Oliver are observing, bemused ...
Amy: Thank you, Alfred.
Alfie: Um, nobody ever calls me Alfred. I don't like it very much ...
Amy: No? Alfred was a king. It's a king's name. It suits you. Oh yes! Millions of stars ...

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!

 

Discussion

What are your hobbies? How often do you do them?

Grammar
Average: 3.7 (36 votes)
Personal online tutoring
EnglishScore Tutors is the British Council’s one-to-one tutoring platform for 13- to 17-year-olds.

Comments

Profile picture for user toiyeuvietnam

Submitted by toiyeuvietnam on Tue, 11/24/2020 - 14:03

My hobbies are reading book and listening to music. I often read book in my free time and i often read about history, biology, and geography. And i often listen to music when i'm studying.

Submitted by Bernardo_Boy on Wed, 11/11/2020 - 15:29

I have no specific hobbies but, what I do is: workout three times a week and sometimes I cycle in nature and what I do quite often is listen to latin music. And so what is your hobbies?

Submitted by picopeca on Mon, 11/02/2020 - 11:03

Hi, I read books, listen music, watch series and drow every day, these are my favourite hobbies.

Submitted by 11mo on Fri, 10/23/2020 - 07:52

hello my name is Moses.My hobbies are playing basketball and swimming. I do them every weekend. I love to play basketball with my friends so much.

Submitted by paradise_2006 on Fri, 09/04/2020 - 18:54

hi, I'm Chamudi and i don't have a specific hobby. i love singing, dancing, reading and drawing portraits and listening to music. Plus I love learning different languages. I'm currently learning Korean, French, Japanese. I'm a huge potter-head 3 and Shadowhunter fan. and I'M IN LOVE WITH K POP :)

Submitted by hermione123 on Fri, 01/01/2021 - 00:30

hi Chamudi! i'm a huge Potterhead too. Look at my username :)

In reply to by paradise_2006

Profile picture for user Sherry4869

Submitted by Sherry4869 on Sat, 08/08/2020 - 15:36

A request to learn English team : Hello, I am Sherry4869. I have request for an app. I think that this site is very helpful to learn English. This site works on website nicely. But when we use it on mobile, it’s difficult to use. Games, activities and videos are don’t works at mobile well. So I think it will be better if there is an app of learn English teens. By the way, we can learn it on mobile. Also, internet and computer is not available in anytime. On an app we can download our lesson. So it will be great if there is an free app of learn English teens. By the way, we can watch videos, do the activities, play games, do exercises, write or reply or like comments , read stories or articles and download lessons. Thank you^ - ^ Sherry4869
Profile picture for user zagrybast

Submitted by zagrybast on Tue, 07/28/2020 - 09:22

My hobbies are reading and writing a little stories. Usually I make it everyday. But now I prepare for uni, so this hobbies nearly left my daily routine, unfortunately.

Submitted by bathayo on Sun, 07/05/2020 - 14:05

good

Submitted by tay6688 on Sat, 05/30/2020 - 03:45

I love this website!
Profile picture for user Giovannichoi

Submitted by Giovannichoi on Wed, 05/27/2020 - 05:33

I love to read novels. Especially "Percy Jackson" series and... the books which was written by Rick Riordan. I think I read them almost always. I love them!!!!!

Submitted by hermione123 on Sun, 02/07/2021 - 12:56

i'm starting to read this book, Giovannichoi. i suppose that they are very good, according to your comment. and you read them almost always?! that's cool. i'm a huge Harry Potter fan. and i love them very much. i often read them when i get bored, even though i already finished the series years ago.

In reply to by Giovannichoi

Submitted by TR790 on Fri, 05/22/2020 - 11:34

Hi, I am Tahmid. I'm from Bangladesh. My hobbies are playing football and reading story books. I also like listening to music.
Profile picture for user Sherry4869

Submitted by Sherry4869 on Thu, 05/07/2020 - 15:52

I like to read books about Sherlock Holmes.

Submitted by NuChio on Wed, 05/06/2020 - 19:27

eat

Submitted by wewe on Wed, 05/06/2020 - 19:10

My hobbies are: I play flag football I always chat to my friends Listen to music

Submitted by starfire on Sun, 05/03/2020 - 02:04

About my hobbies... I have two hobbies, I usually play videogames and I ALWAYS listen to music from my phone, although i think the second one is more a part of my daily rutine.

Submitted by Sharol on Mon, 04/20/2020 - 21:06

Hey I'm Tarek , I'm 30 .I'm Egyptian I live in Bogotá Colombia. I'm Marred , normally I don't have time to do my hobbies but sometimes I go to the park with my wife she is pregnant by the way. and often I see football games every Sunday I am a big fan of Liverpool and my favorite player is more salah.
Profile picture for user Tina - Coordinator

Submitted by Tina - Coordinator on Tue, 04/21/2020 - 07:49

Dear Sharol (Tarek),
Thanks for your comments on LearnEnglish Teens. This website is specially for teenagers aged 13-17 years old but you mention that you are older than that. You are welcome to keep on using LearnEnglish Teens but as you are over 17, please do NOT post any more comments as we must keep this strictly for teenagers to interact with each other.
Best wishes, Tina (LearnEnglish Teens team)

In reply to by Sharol

Submitted by HollyLove on Mon, 04/13/2020 - 23:03

Hello! I ussually paint and draw when i'm bored, sometimes i like watch good movies too but i hardly ever go to the cinema to see them. Occasionally i try to learn to play the guitar, and everyday i listen some music made by this instrument.

Submitted by magnus7u7 on Mon, 04/13/2020 - 21:24

My name is Magnus, i live in Argentina, i am 16 years old, I usually exercise, play video games and take pictures, i also like going to the cinema but I never do that, i almost always do my homework and I like it

Submitted by Lujan15 on Mon, 04/13/2020 - 14:43

Hi, i am lujan! My favourite hobbie is cleaning and ordering i enjoy doing it and having my house always clean. My family usually ask me for help and im always happy to help them. I sweep my bedroom twice a day i order it three times a week i never have it disordered

Submitted by igadepasou on Tue, 04/07/2020 - 11:39

Hello, I'm Sacha. I like playing football, video games and playing with my snakes. I have two snakes (pythons). I live in Réunion Island. I always play football after school and I play in a club twice a week. We usually play a match at the weekend. I sometimes play video games. I hardly ever swim in the pool but my sister often does. I never cook the dinner. I occasionally go to the cinema.

Submitted by augustin on Thu, 04/02/2020 - 13:37

Hi, my names is Augustin and I am 16. I live in Paris and I play tennis every Thursday evening at 8 pm. I love football too and I always watch to the competition like for instance the Champions Ligue. Furthermore, I very often go to parties and I love that. Sadly, because of the containment, all of these activities are canceled... That's so depressing.

Submitted by beasam0109 on Thu, 03/26/2020 - 13:59

Hello I'm betarice, I don't have hobbies but in my free time I love listening to music and sometimes reading some books. Reading makes me feel good and alienates me from the outside world

Submitted by delucovich on Wed, 03/25/2020 - 18:09

i am argentinian , iam 15 i love Lewis Capaldi songs. i listen him every mornings. i train triathlon six times a week and i also like Reading books .

Submitted by marchese on Mon, 03/23/2020 - 08:30

Hi, I'm Alexandra, I'm 14 and I have some hobbies. I like to draw, I usually do it when I'm alone and sometimes at night. I also like listening to music and now, that we can't leave the house, I spend most of the day with headphones in my ears. I also like play volleyball, and I did it three times a week, but now I have stopped.

Submitted by FedericoB8 on Sun, 03/22/2020 - 11:31

Hi, I am Federico, I have many hobbies, I like play football, for this reason I play in a football team in Turin, every week we have two training sessions and one match on Saturday or on Sunday. Another hobby is playing with playStation, every day, if possible, I play for one hour.

Submitted by Micheleanto on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 17:20

Hi I’m Michele, i’m 14 and my hobbies are football, videogame and meet with friends. I have football training 2 times a week, on Tuesday from 7.30pm to 9pm and on Friday from 7pm to 8.30pm. Usually in the weekend i have the match in the afteroon. I meet with friends 3 times a week, usually on Friday, on Saturday and on Sunday. Sometimes i play videogames usually when it rains, or when i can’t meet with friends.

Submitted by asiasantin on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 15:06

Hi, my name is Asia, I am 16 years old and live in Italy. I have many hobbits but the one I'm most passionate about and definitely practicing box. I practice it six days a week for an hour. IT'S MY PASSION

Submitted by ballerinichiara on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 14:20

Hi! My name is Chiara and I leave in the north-west of Italy. I have got a lot of hobbies and I can't say which one is my favorite! I often play the piano in the afternoon, in my free time I usually draw, read a book or cook with my cousin. In the weekend I sometimes make escursions in mountain all season with my family and friends! I often do sports because I enjoy it!

Submitted by Ely on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 14:12

my hobby is reading a book. I read every afternoon . reading for me is a very obsession

Submitted by BttChiara on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 14:11

My hobbies are: writing, reading and acting. I love writing because I can tell something of myself to other people. I also love reading because it relax me after bad days. Finally I love acting because I meet my group of friends on Tuesday, that is a really bored day for me. I also like acting because it can help show people. I read a book twice a week and I often write a comment about it, too. I write on my free-time and I act at my theater club once a week ( on Tuesday, after school).

Submitted by gattifederica on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 12:51

Hi. I’m Federica, I’m 15, I live in Turin. My hobbies are listening to music, watching TV series , playing volleyball and cooking. I listen to music every day and I especially like trap, rap, reggaeton and pop music. I watching TV series every evening. I play volleyball three times a week and I, with my team, usually play matches at the weekend. I always cook cakes for my family at the weekend.

Submitted by rrfalletto on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 12:44

Hi name is Rebecca and i'm 15, i'm from Italy. I lot of hobbies. One of this is cooking. I love making cake. Another hobbies is reading books. I love romantics books. I like listening to music, my favourite kind is rap. One a week i go to the pool

Submitted by Carolina000 on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 12:07

Hi, my name is Carolina during my free time I like to do rhythmic gymnastics, that’s what I like to do more. When I don’t exercise I always listen to music or watch tv series.

Submitted by JasmineD03 on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 10:09

Hi, I'm Jasmine and I'm 15 years old. I'm from Italy. I have many hobbies but my favorite is horse riding. My bf invites me to her riding school and we spend the afternoons with the horses. I can go there as many times as I want and I have a lot of fun. Another hobby of mine is photography. When I go to visit new places I photograph anything because I don't want to forget anything about that place. I love music very much, I don't criticize any genre but the ones I like most are indie and rap.

Submitted by Desy on Thu, 03/19/2020 - 15:52

Hi I'm Desirée, I have many hobbies like reading, traveling, going to the mountains, dancing and singing. I go to the mountains about once a month and read every evening, finally I do other hobbies in my free time.

Submitted by manlol on Thu, 03/05/2020 - 17:47

Hi! We are twins and we are from Spain. I'm Olivia. I play the clarinet in a music school. I go to theatre classes with my sister. I like rabbits but I don't like cocodriles. I love listen to music. Hi my name is Ariadna.I don't like the music as my sister,but I love drawing and painting.I love cats,but we haven't got pets. I go to my painting classes on Fridays at half past four.

Submitted by editor_rachael on Fri, 03/06/2020 - 12:31

Hi Olivia and Ariadna,

 

Welcome to LearnEnglish Teens! Please can you create separate accounts for each of you? In our House Rules we ask you not to share your account with other people. Thanks a lot and I hope you both enjoy the site! :-)

 

Rachael
LearnEnglish Teens team

In reply to by manlol

Submitted by giorgiamarchetti on Wed, 03/18/2020 - 22:27

Hi my names is Giorgia and i’m 14 years old.I’m from Italy. I have many hobbies but my favourite is dancing.I go to my dance gym four times a week. Another hobbies that i like is listening to music,my favourite singer are Lewis Capaldi and Lil Uzi Vert; I listen the music every morning and every afternoon.I sometimes read books,my favourite type are yellow book. I always chat whit my friends .

In reply to by manlol

Submitted by _auro_ on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 13:38

Hi everybody, my name is Aurora and i'm 15yo.I'm from Italy. I have many hobbies but my favorite is definitely playing volleyball.I go to training three times a week and the weekend usually, I have games. Another of my hobbies that i like is listening to music, my favourite singer are Travis Scott and Justin Bieber. I listen the music almost always. I sometimes read horror books,this is my favourite kind. In the weekend I go out with my friends, but rarely.

In reply to by giorgiamarchetti

Submitted by languagelearner on Thu, 03/05/2020 - 01:32

about my hobby... i used to go to a rock climbing practice everyday, but now i do it only once a week.

Submitted by nohnoh on Sat, 12/21/2019 - 12:41

I used to play gymnatics twice a week but i no longer do because i do not have time.
Profile picture for user Hatake03

Submitted by Hatake03 on Tue, 11/19/2019 - 04:58

About my hobbies... Firstly, I like playing videogames. I play them very often. Besides that, I find them very useful to learn this language, you can learn new vocabulary. Secondly, I love reading books. I read new books very often especially if they are in English. I am reading "The Higgs Boson". It is very interesting. Finally, I enjoy writing. I am currently writing a book about fantasy. I work on it on Fridays because It's the only day I am not too busy.
Profile picture for user CristianN98

Submitted by CristianN98 on Sun, 10/06/2019 - 21:31

My hobbies are: Videogames, learning, chatting. I play video games every day I always do my english classes I always chat to my friends I usually learn french I ocassionally watch tv I rarely play chess
Profile picture for user Ale77Can

Submitted by Ale77Can on Wed, 07/10/2019 - 21:42

My hobbies are: I always use my social networks. I hardly ever go to the cinema Sometimes, i watch Netflix I usually do exercise I often learn English by myself
Profile picture for user Eroyanium

Submitted by Eroyanium on Wed, 07/10/2019 - 07:45

I live in Indonesia, wake up every morning at 4:30 am o'clock, and go to school at 6:00 am, here, I studied for 11 hours, so I returned home at 5:00 pm, how about you?
English courses near you