LONGMAN ENGLISH GRAMMAR PRACTICE

(nextflipdebug2) #1

7 Adverbs


7.4 Adverbs of frequency


7.4A Position of adverbs of frequency ('often') in affirmatives and questions
[> LEG 7.37-40]

Write:

Study:

1 Adverbs of frequency generally answer the question How often?. The most common are:
always, almost always, generally, usually, normally, frequently, often, sometimes,
hardly ever, seldom, ever, not... ever, never.

2 Adverbs of frequency have three basic positions in affirmative sentences:


  • after be when it is the only verb in a sentence: I am always late.

  • after the first auxiliary when there is more than one: I would always have been late.

  • before the main verb when there is only one verb: You never tried hard enough.


3 In questions, the adverb of frequency comes after the subject: Are you always late?

Rewrite these sentences using any suitable adverb of frequency in each one.

1 I am late I
2 I was late for work
3 I can tell the difference between the two
4 I would have been able to find a job like yours
5 You tried hard enough
6 You got good marks at school
7 Are you late?
8 Have you lived in this town?
9 Did you get good marks at school?

7.4B The position of adverbs of frequency in negative statements [> LEG 7.40.2]


Write:

Study:

1 These usually come after not. always, generally, normally, often, regularly, usually:
Public transport Isn't always (etc.) very reliable.

2 Generally, normally, often and usually can come after the subject for special emphasis:
We normally don't worry if the children are late.

3 We use sometimes and frequently before not or before isn't, doesn't, don't, didn't, etc.:
Debbie is sometimes not responsible for what she does. He is frequently not at home.
She sometimes isn't reliable. He frequently doesn't get home till 10.

4 We can't use not to form negatives with hardly ever, etc. [> 13.2A]: He hardly ever writes.
(Not *He almost always doesn't write. * or *He doesn't hardly ever write. *)





Write these sentences again using the adverbs in brackets. Make changes where necessary.

1 Public transport isn't reliable, (always)
2 He wasn't late when he worked here, (often)
3 She doesn't arrive on time, (usually)
4 She doesn't arrive on time, (sometimes)
5 We don't worry if the children are late, (normally)
6 You don't phone, (hardly ever)
7 We don't complain, (generally)
Free download pdf