1. How often do you … ? Adverbs of Frequency YoungSoon Moon
Computer Assisted Language Learning
GSL 520
Saint Michael's College
Summer 2011

2. How often do you…? Meaning I eat breakfast every day.
Sun.
Mon.
Tue.
Wed.
Thu.
Fri.
Sat. v
I always eat breakfast.
Susan gets up early six times a week.
Sun.
Mon.
Tue.
Wed.
Thu.
Fri.
Sat.
v 　 v
She usually gets up early.

3. How often do you…? Meaning (cont’d)
Kim goes to bed late five times a week.
Sun.
Mon.
Tue.
Wed.
Thu.
Fri.
Sat.
v 　
He often goes to bed late.
Maria and Bill walk to school three times a week.
Sun.
Mon.
Tue.
Wed.
Thu.
Fri.
Sat.
v 　
They sometimes walk to school.

4. How often do you…? Meaning (cont’d)
Mike does his homework once a week.
Sun.
Mon.
Tue.
Wed.
Thu.
Fri.
Sat.
v 　
He rarely does his homework.
Jenny doesn’t drink coffee.
Sun.
Mon.
Tue.
Wed.
Thu.
Fri.
Sat.
She never drinks coffee.

5. How often do you…? Meaning How different? 0% never 10% rarely 50%
sometimes
75%
often
90%
usually
100%
always
“Frequency Adverbs”

6. How often do you…? Correct?
Position: Where do these frequency words go?
Correct?
Can you guess?
(X)
1. I watch often TV.
often
I _______ watch TV.
2. Mr. Lee plays sometimes tennis.
(X)
sometimes
Mr. Lee ___________ plays tennis.
3. Alice reads rarely books.
(X)
rarely
Alice ________ reads books.

7. Let’s look at the examples at the beginning again…
How often do you…?
Position: Where do these frequency words go?
Let’s look at the examples at the beginning again…
l I always eat breakfast.
l She usually gets up early.
l He often goes to bed late.
l They sometimes play tennis.
l He rarely does his homework.
l She never drinks coffee.

8. Yes, they usually come between the subject and the verb.
How often do you…?
Position: Where do these frequency words go?
Yes, they usually come between the subject and the verb.
Here are the rules!
Simple Present Verbs
“Frequency Adverb” + +
Subject
(except “BE Verb”)
* Note: Some frequency adverbs can also come at the beginning or at the end of a sentence (e.g. sometimes).

9. How often do you…? Usage Let’s practice… 1. I go shopping. sometimes2.
Sue
rides a bike.
often 3.
Alex
studies at the library.
always

10. Then, let’s try to put the words in order to make sentences.
How often do you…?
Usage
Some more practice…
Then, let’s try to put the words in order to make sentences. 1.
Lisa
buys
new clothes
rarely . 2.
drives
Peter
usually
to work . 3.
skirts
never
wears
Linda .

11. How often do you…? Usage Now, tell me about you!
Don’t forget to use “frequency adverb” when you answer. 1.
always / usually / often / sometimes / rarely / never 2. 3.

12. For more frequency expressions & practice
How often do you…?
For more frequency expressions & practice
Frequency Expressions
What do you usually do?
Frequency Adverb Drill

13. How often do you…?
Any Questions?

14. References
Azar, Betty Schrampfer & Hagan, Stacy A. (2010). Basic English Grammar (4th ed). New York: Pearson Education.
Azar, Betty Schrampfer & Hagan, Stacy A. (2007). Basic English Grammar Teacher Rescource Disc. New York: Pearson Education.
Murphy, Raymund & Smalzer, William. (2002). Basic Grammar in Use (2nd ed). New York: Cambridge University Press.
Murphy, Raymund & Smalzer, William. (2003). Basic Grammar in Use Workbook. New York: Cambridge University Press.