Present simple and adverbs of frequency

1.

1.2 Present simple and adverbs of frequency
1 We use adverbs of frequency and frequency expressions to talk about how often
we do things.
always every now and then hardly ever
most days
occasionally
often
rarely
sometimes
nearly always
usually
100%
always
never
0%
most days
nearly always
often
usually
every now
and then
occasionally
hardly ever
never
rarely
sometimes
© Oxford University Press

2.

1.2 Present simple and adverbs of frequency
1 In positive and negative sentences, the adverb of frequency goes before the main
verb.
1 They usually take their grandchildren on holiday.
2 You nearly always phone your parents on Sundays.
3 We hardly ever see each other.
4 I don’t always understand English people.
2 In questions the adverb of frequency goes after the subject.
1 Do you often do your homework on the train?
2 Does she always send text messages so late?
© Oxford University Press

3.

1.2 Present simple and adverbs of frequency
1 The adverb of frequency goes after be in positive sentences and after not in
negative sentences.
1 We are usually late.
2 You’re nearly always on the phone in the evening.
3 I’m not often tired at the weekend.
4 He isn’t usually happy first thing in the morning!
5 They are sometimes in a bad mood.
2 In questions, the adverb of frequency goes after the subject.
1 Are you always busy on Saturdays?
2 Is he hardly ever at home?
© Oxford University Press

4.

1.2 Present simple and adverbs of frequency
1 We also use other frequency expressions, e.g. once a week, twice a month,
three/four/five times a year. They usually go at the end of the sentence.
1 She visits her grandmother three times a year.
2 Do you go to English lessons once or twice a week?
2 Expressions such as every now and then, most days, etc. can go at the beginning or
the end of the sentence.
Every now and then I think about travelling abroad.
I think about travelling abroad every now and then.
3 In negative sentences sometimes goes before the auxiliary.
1 We sometimes don’t talk to each other for weeks.
© Oxford University Press

5.

1.2 Present simple and adverbs of frequency
1 Decide where the adverb of frequency or expression of frequency should go in
these examples.
1 I go to bed before midnight. (never)
I never go to bed before midnight.
2 My friends text me late at night. (rarely)
My friends rarely text me late at night.
3 I’m awake until 2 a.m. (sometimes)
I’m sometimes awake until 2 a.m.
4 Do you call your parents? (most days)
Do you call your parents most days?
5 I don’t do exercise for weeks! (sometimes)
I sometimes don’t do exercise for weeks!
© Oxford University Press