Ganbileg, English Teacher

100 Always
% Hardly
20% ever
Usually
80% 0% Never

60% Often

40- Sometimes
50%
Use

Use adverbs of
frequency to
answer the
question
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 % 100 %
ALWAYS
DO NOT USUALLY
FORGET !!!
OFTEN

SOMETIMES
RARELY
NEVER
 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 mid-

position, 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. Time
1. Immediately
2. Comment
2. Unfortunately
3. Degree
3. Incredibly 4. Manner
4. Shouted angrily 5. Frequency
5. Normally 6. Degree
6. Slightly 7. Time
7. Last month 8. Degree
8. A lot 9. Comment
9. Eventually 10. Place
10. Here
 Adverbial Quiz
Correct the following sentences.
1. She liked the present very much .
1. She liked very much the present.
2. Mark came last night very late 2. Mark came home very late last
night.
home.
3. A young man was injured badly 3. A young man was badly injured
and was taken to the hospital. and was taken to the hospital.
4. She’s lazy a little bit about doing 4. She’s a little bit lazy about doing
her homework. her homework.
5. I forgot your birthday almost, but 5. I almost forgot your birthday, but
fortunately my sister reminded fortunately my sister reminded
me. me.
6. We luckily had taken an umbrella 6. Luckily we had taken an umbrella
because it started to rain just after because it started to rain just
we left. after we left.
7. Jack has been apparently fired. 7. 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