Open Menu
 
Section of English Grammar

Frequency adverbs: position

Frequency adverbs: position
Activity Put in Order
Activity Put in Order
Practise how to put adverbs of frequency in the right place inside the sentence.
 

Content preview

Instructions

Order these sentences so the adverb of frequency comes in the right position.
 

FREQUENCY ADVERBS

These adverbs answer the question: How often?
Here is a list ordered from more to less frequency (percentages are approximative)

ALWAYS (100%)
FREQUENTLY (90%)
USUALLY (85%)      = generally, normally
OFTEN (75%)
SOMETIMES (50%)      = now and then
OCCASIONALLY (35%)
SELDOM (25%)
RARELY (10%)
HARDLY EVER (5%)
NEVER (0%)

Word order:

One-word adverbs

Before normal verbs (the rest)
- I OFTEN go to the cinema
- He RARELY watches television
After special verbs (to be, have, do, can, will, etc.)
- I am ALWAYS here
- you can NEVER speak fast o
exceptions:
- I HARDLY EVER watch football on TV
- Tim ALMOST NEVER eats pudding
Notice: Some of these can use VERY (with the same position).
- I VERY OFTEN eat potatoes
- We VERY RARELY go to the beach

Two words or more

At the end of the sentence
- I go to the cinema TWICE A MONTH
- He works in the mornings EVERY OTHER DAY (= every two days)
- He watches football DAY IN, DAY OUT (= every day, every single day)
- We go hiking SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR (= a few times every year)

How many times?
Once = x1
Twice = x2
Three times = x3
Four times, etc. = x4

These frequency phrases usually go at the end:
- You have to ring the bell twice
- I go to the cinema once a month

- Tim goes to school three times a week

Items

Items
I / get up / always / at 8 a.m.
 
is / asking me questions / She / always
 
never / I / know / what to say
 
find / You / never / can / your car keys
 
Place it in mid-position (not at the beginning or the end)
is / often / late / John
 
They / never / can / listen
 
Place it in mid-position (not at the beginning or the end)
Mike / often / for dinner / pizza / eats
 
I / oranges / eat / hardly ever
 
almost never / My parents / go on holiday
 
Place it in mid-position (not at the beginning or the end)
dresses / She / in blue / very often
 
Place it in mid-position (not at the beginning or the end)
need / some help with the homework / They / usually
 
Something is the matter with me. I / very tired / usually / am / in the mornings.
 
Place it in mid-position (not at the beginning or the end)
to help me / very often / come / My parents
 
I / to the hairdresser's / usually / once a month / go
 
We / have / soup / every other day
 
once a year / go / I / to the dentist / usually
 
have to go / day in, day out / I / shopping
 
My car / several times a year / breaks down
 
Begin the sentence with YESTERDAY
me / she / twice / phoned / Yesterday,
 
I / five times / saw / it
 
to the gym / three times a week / I / go
 
need / some petrol / every other day. / I travel a lot. I
 
Begin the sentence with SHE
when you talk to her / rarely / listens / She
 
rarely / if you need it / Tom / will / help you
 
at home? / usually / Do / have lunch / you
 
How / go / you / do / often / to the disco?
 
Place it in mid-position (not at the end)
? / Kevin / win / always / Does
 
Place it in mid-position (not at the end)
feel tired? / Do / you / often
 
Place it in mid-position (not at the end)
always / Can / I / dress / in green?
 
Do / to the gym / every day / you / go / ?
 
Total number of items: 30
© Angel Castaño 2008 Salamanca / Poole - free videos to learn real English online || InfoPrivacyTerms of useContactAbout
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read more