LONGMAN ENGLISH GRAMMAR PRACTICE

7.4 Adverbs of frequency

Write:

7.5D

Study:

I++1

Add quite and rather to each sentence, where possible. Say if they mean 'inclined to (be)', 'less

than' or 'completely'.

1 I'm afraid Jane's health is g'^/.ШШ^Г. poor.

2 Don't worry! Your son is all right!

3 Your work has been unsatisfactory

4 I'm afraid an appointment tomorrow is impossible

5 Last night's documentary was interesting

'Much', 'any', 'far' and 'a lot' as adverbs of degree [> LEG 5.12.3,7.45]

1 We can use much and far with comparatives and superlatives to say 'to what degree':

Jane is much better today. London is far bigger than Edinburgh.

This Indian cookery book is by far the best. London is much the biggest city in Britain.

2 We can use a lot and any with comparatives: It's a lot bigger. Is it any better?

3 Not much and not any go with a few adjectives: This battery isn't much good/any good.

4 We can use not much and (not) a lot with verbs such as like and enjoy.

I don't much like fish. I don't like fish (very) much. I (don't) like fish a lot.

5 We often use much and far with prefer and would rather [> 16.8B, 11.8]:

I much prefer tea to coffee. I'd far rather have tea than coffee.

Write: Add much, any, far or a lot and give alternatives where possible.

1 I'm not mtäJ.my. good at maths.

2 You're quicker than me.

3 This is more expensive.

4 This is the best way to enjoy yourself.

5 I can't go faster.

6 Those two recordings aren't different.

7 I don't like people who show off.

8 I prefer swimming to cycling.

9 This machine isn't use.

10 You're thinner than when I last saw you.

7.5E Context

Write: Put in any suitable adverbs of degree (any, many, much, rather, fairly, quite, etc.).

CAN WE GO HOME PLEASE?

It was^1 Я-ЦЩ?. late. The restaurant clock showed 1.30 a.m. The

waiters were feeling^2 tired and were beginning to yawn.

There was one^3 middle-aged couple left. They had clearly

had^4 a good meal. Now they were looking at each other

across the table and were^5 unaware of the world around

them. The waiters wanted to go home. One of them asked the couple if

they wanted^6 more to eat or drink. He didn't get an answer.

It clearly wasn't^7 use asking questions! One of the waiters

had^8 a good idea. He began stacking chairs upside-down

onto the tables. The others joined in. Another waiter turned off the lights. In

the end, the restaurant was^9 dim. The chairs were stacked

on the tables round the couple who just sat and sat and sat!

The couple sat and sat and sat!