Ganbileg, English Teacher
100 %
Always
80%
Usually
60%
Often
40- 50%
Sometimes
20%
Hardly ever
0%
Never
Use
Use adverbs of
frequency to answer
the question
How often…?
Use a positive (+) verb
with “hardly ever” and
“never”
4
Position
Adverbs of frequency go BEFORE all
verbs (except be)
SUBJECT + ADV. OF FREQUENCY + VERB
EXAMPLES:
She always plays tennis in the morning.
They usually have lunch at work.
5
Position
Adverbs of frequency go AFTER the verb to be (is
– are – am)
SUBJECT + VERB TO BE + ADVERB OF FREQUENCY
EXAMPLES: She is always late for work.
They are often hungry.
6
I READ A BOOK
EVERYDAY.
I ALWAYS READ A
BOOK.
I STUDY FRENCH FIVE
TIMES A WEEK.
SHE USUALLY
RIDES A BIKE.
SHE RIDES A BIKE
TWICE
A WEEK.
SHE OFTEN
RIDES A
BIKE.
I PLAY
BASKETBALL
ONCE A WEEK
I SOMETIMES
PLAY
BASKETBALL
I RARELY GO TO
THE BEACH
I DON´T GO FOR
HORROR MOVIES.
I NEVER WATCH HORROR MOVIES
0 %
ALWAYS
DO NOT
FORGET !!!
USUALLY
OFTEN
SOMETIMES
RARELY
NEVER
100 %
ONCE
1
2
3
4
5
TWICE
1
2
3
4
5
THREE TIMES
1
2
3
4
5
FOUR TIMES
1
2
3
4
5
FIVE TIMES
1
2
3
4
5
19
what do you do in
your free time? And
how often?
EXTRA INFO FOR UPPER LEVEL STUDENTS:
What’s an adverb?
•Adverb:
•a word used for describing a verb (an action) – e.g., he
walks slowly,
•an adjective – e.g., it’s incredibly expensive,
•another adverb, or a whole sentence – he works very
hard..
•Adverbs in English often consist of an adjective
with „-ly” added, for example „quickly”, „mainly,”
and „cheerfully.”
Adverbs of manner
•Describe how somebody does something.
•They usually go AFTER the verb or verb
phrase, however, with passive verbs they
usually go in mid-position (before the
main verb but after an auxiliary verb).
•He runs very fast.
•The driver was seriously injured.
Adverbs of frequency
• Go before the main verb but after the verb to be.
• I hardly ever have time for breakfast. (almost never)
• Liam’s always late for work.
• Karen realized that she was never going to learn to drive.
• Sometimes, usually, and normally can also be put at
the beginning of the phrase or sentence for emphasis.
• If there are two auxiliary verbs, the adverb goes after
the first one.
• I would never have thought you were 40.
Adverbs of time and place ….
Adverbs of degree
•Describe how much something is done, or modify an
adjective.
•Extremely, incredibly, very, etc., are used with
adjectives and adverbs and go before them.
• We’re incredibly tired.
•A lot and much are often used with verbs and go after
the verb or verb phrase.
• My husband works a lot, but he doesn’t earn much.
•A little/a little bit can be used before adjectives or after
verbs, e.g.,
• I’m a little tired.
• We rested a little bit after the flight.
Comment adverbs
•Which give the speaker’s opinion
•Usually go at the beginning of a sentence or
clause.
•Unfortunately, the package never arrived.
•Ideally, we should leave here at 10:00.
•Other common comment adverbs are luckily,
basically, clearly, obviously, apparently,
eventually, etc.
Other adverbs
•Most other adverbs go in midposition, e.g.,
•I just need ten more minutes.
•I almost forgot to go to class.
•I’m nearly finished with my work.
•She didn’t even say goodbye.
•She’ll probably come in the end.
Before the main verb.
Adverbial Quiz! What kind of adverb is it? (Manner,
frequency, time and place, degree or comment?)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Immediately
Unfortunately
Incredibly
Shouted angrily
Normally
Slightly
Last month
A lot
Eventually
Here
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Time
Comment
Degree
Manner
Frequency
Degree
Time
Degree
Comment
Place
Adverbial Quiz
Correct the following sentences.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
1.
She liked very much the present.
2.
Mark came last night very late
home.
3.
A young man was injured badly
and was taken to the hospital.
She’s lazy a little bit about doing 4.
her homework.
I forgot your birthday almost, but 5.
fortunately my sister reminded
me.
We luckily had taken an umbrella 6.
because it started to rain just after
we left.
Jack has been apparently fired.
7.
She liked the present very much .
Mark came home very late last
night.
A young man was badly injured
and was taken to the hospital.
She’s a little bit lazy about doing
her homework.
I almost forgot your birthday, but
fortunately my sister reminded
me.
Luckily we had taken an umbrella
because it started to rain just after
we left.
Apparently Jack has been fired.
Confusing adverbs and adverbial phrases
HARD ~ HARDLY?
• He works very hard – he’s very persistent.
• It’s incredibly dark. I can hardly see anything.
What’s the difference? What is the meaning of these adverbs?
HARD: very much, needing a lot of effort
HARDLY: almost NOT
LATE ~ LATELY?
I don’t like when my mother arrives late for the
dinner.
 I haven’t seen Larissa lately. She must work a lot.
What’s the difference?

• LATE: not being on time.
• LATELY: these days, nowadays, recently.
At the end ~ in the end?
• At the end of the class we always get the homework.
• It took me two years, but in the end I passed my driving test.
What’s the difference?


At the end: when something has finished, e.g., at
the end of the class / movie etc.
In the end: eventually, after a period of time or
series of events or difficulties.
ESPECIALLY ~ SPECIALLY?
• I love all kinds of sport, but especially Thai-Chi.
• My graduation dress was specially made for me by a dressmaker.
What’s the difference?



ESPECIALLY: above all (principalmente)
SPECIALLY: in a particular way or a particular
purpose, only used with a parti
ciple, e.g., It’s a specially designed umbrella.
(exclusivamente)
ACTUALLY ~ RIGHT NOW?
• He looks older than me, but actually he is two years younger.
• Right now we’re sharing an apartment, but hoping to move soon.


ACTUALLY: IN FACT
RIGHT NOW: now
NEARLY ~ NEAR?
• I’ve nearly done my homework. I’m on the last page.
• Sorry madam, do you know if there is a bank near here?
What’s the difference?


NEARLY: almost
NEAR: close
STILL~YET?
• He hasn’t found a job yet.
• He still hasn’t found a job.
What’s the difference?


YET: goes at the end of a phrase
STILL: in the mid position
EVER ~ EVEN?
Have you ever been to the US?
 I’ve been all over the US– I’ve even been to
Alaska.
What’s the difference?

• EVER: at any time in the past, present or future
• EVEN: used for showing that you are saying something that is
SURPRISING.
Resources
• Macmillan English Dictionary
• Longman Dicionárió Escolar
• American English File 4A