Lesson reference

Module 4 Lesson 1

Lesson reference

When we talk about our daily activities, we need to learn to express how often we do things. In English we generally do this by using adverbs of frequency or other time expressions. How do you know which adverb of frequency or time expression to use? That depends on the level of regularity that you want to express. Use the table below to help you:

Frequency	Adverbs/ Time expressions	Examples
100 – 50%	normally often usually on a regular basis whenever I get the chance nearly every day	I normally wake up early in the morning I often check my Facebook account before I start my study day I’m usually in the University at 8 a.m. I do my homework tasks on a regular basis I take a break during the day whenever I get the chance I go for a walk after the study day nearly every day
50%	sometimes from time to time once in a while	My classmates sometimes invite me to go out at the weekends From time to time I do sport exercises because they help me to switch off Once in a while my teachers come to University and we have a chat about my progress
50 - 0%	seldom almost never not as much as I would like to	I seldom study from home, I prefer going to the University I’m almost never angry, I think I’m a very positive person I see my friends not as much as I would like to because they live in other countries around the word

The most important rules related to adverbs of frequency and other time expressions are related to using them in the correct position in sentences. There are three common positions, depending on the type of verb:

1. 
   with verb "to be" - adverbs of frequency are used after the verb "to be"
   

I’m almost never angry.

2. 
   with auxiliaries (e.g. don’t, doesn’t, didn’t, etc. ) – adverbs of frequency are used after auxiliaries
   

Jack doesn’t usually worry about his marks.

3. 
   Other main verbs – adverbs of frequency are used before the verb
   My classmates sometimes invite me to go out at the weekends.
   

Remember that time expressions usually come at the beginning or at the end of the sentence. In most cases, you need to just remember them.

I see my friends not as much as I would like to.
From time to time I do sport exercises because they help me to switch off.