always, constantly, continually 100% of

the time
usually, normally, generally 80% of
the time
often, frequently, regularly
60% of
sometimes, the time
occasionally 20% of
seldom, the time
hardly 5% of the
ever, time
rarely 0% of the
never time

The adverbs of frequency tell us how often something happens.

They can be placed at various points in the sentence but are commonly used
BEFORE the main verbs and AFTER be verbs.
occasionally, sometimes, often, frequently and usually can also go at the beginning
or end of a sentence.

subject adverb verb complement complement

Jim never walks to school.
They usually play football on Sundays.
subject be verb adverb complement complement
Peter is often late.
We are always in a hurry.
Look at the chart and complete the sentences
Michael usually never sometimes often always seldom
Anna never always rarely never never often
Jim sometimes often never rarely regularly sometimes
Claire always never never never seldom usually

Michael ____________ goes to school by bus but ______________ rides to

school. He ___________ goes by car. Michael likes sport and ___________ plays
soccer at playtime.
Anna ___________ rides or walks to school. She ___________ goes by car. She
is not sporty and __________ plays soccer but she _________ goes to the cinema
at weekends.
Jim ____________ goes to school on foot. He ______________ plays soccer
with his friends and ___________ goes to the cinema with them.
Claire ___________ goes to school by bicycle. She ___________ plays soccer but
__________ goes to the cinema on Sundays.

Rewrite the complete sentence using the adverb in brackets in its correct
position.

1. He listens to the radio (often)

2. Peter gets angry (never)
3. I take sugar in my coffee (sometimes)
4. Peggy and Max are late (always)
5. The weather is bad in November (usually)
6. John watches tv (seldom)
7. Larry can go out with his friends (occasionally)
8. I was on time for school (regularly)
Read the passage about John. Underline the adverbs of frequency and
answer the questions.

This is John. He is a lazy boy. He always gets up late

and is often late for school. He doesn’t eat much breakfast but he usually eats
sandwiches between lessons and a lot of snacks at home in front of the television.
He never plays any games and hardly ever goes to visit his friends. He never goes to
bed before 10:00pm and often sleeps badly.

TRUE / FALSE

1. John takes a lot of exercise. T/F

2. He often arrives late for classes. T/F
3. He usually sleeps well. T/F

Answer these questions.

1. How often does John play with his friends?

___________________________________
2. Why does he sleep badly?
___________________________________
3. How often does he get up late?
___________________________________