Welcome to the World of "How Often"!

Have you ever wanted to tell a friend how many times you play video games a week, or explain to your teacher that you always do your homework? In this chapter, we are going to learn about Adverbs of Frequency. These are special words that help us describe our habits and routines more accurately. Don't worry if this seems a bit tricky at first; by the end of these notes, you'll be using them like a pro!

What are Adverbs of Frequency?

An adverb of frequency tells us how often an action happens. It describes the "frequency" or the number of times something occurs. In our curriculum, we use these to talk about our daily lives, school schedules, and scientific facts.

The "How Often" Scale

Think of these adverbs on a scale from \( 100\% \) (all the time) to \( 0\% \) (not at all). Here are the most common ones you need to know:

Always (\( 100\% \)): Something that happens every single time.
Example: The sun always rises in the east.

Usually (\( 80-90\% \)): Something that happens most of the time, but not every time.
Example: I usually walk to school.

Often (\( 70\% \)): Something that happens many times.
Example: We often go to the library on Tuesdays.

Sometimes (\( 50\% \)): Something that happens about half the time.
Example: I sometimes eat noodles for lunch.

Rarely / Seldom (\( 10-20\% \)): Something that almost never happens.
Example: It rarely snows in Hong Kong.

Never (\( 0\% \)): Something that does not happen at any time.
Example: I never stay up past midnight.

Key Takeaway:

Use Adverbs of Frequency to give more detail about your habits. Choose the word that best matches the "percentage" of how often you do the action!

Where Do We Put Them? (Word Order)

One of the biggest challenges for students is knowing exactly where to place the adverb in a sentence. There are two simple rules to remember:

Rule 1: Before the "Main Verb"

If the sentence has a regular action verb (like eat, play, study, run), put the adverb before it.

Subject + Adverb + Main Verb

Example: I usually (adverb) play (verb) basketball after school.
Example: She often (adverb) helps (verb) her mother.

Rule 2: After the Verb "To Be"

If the sentence uses am, is, or are, the adverb comes after the verb.

Subject + Be Verb + Adverb

Example: He is (be verb) always (adverb) happy.
Example: They are (be verb) never (adverb) late for class.

Memory Trick: The "Always Be After" Rule

To remember Rule 2, just think: "The adverb must 'Be' after the 'Be' verb!"

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even though these rules seem simple, it's easy to get mixed up. Watch out for these "traps":

  • Don't put the adverb at the very end: Instead of saying "I go to school always," say "I always go to school."
  • "Sometimes" is flexible: Unlike the other adverbs, Sometimes can actually go at the beginning or the end of a sentence too. "Sometimes I watch TV" is correct!
  • Never use "never" with "not": In English, we don't use two negatives together. Say "I never eat meat," NOT "I don't never eat meat."

Quick Review Box

Main Verb? Put it Before (e.g., often study).
Be Verb (is/am/are)? Put it After (e.g., is always).
What does it tell us? It tells us How Often.

Why is this Important?

As you progress in Junior Secondary English, you will be asked to write about your routines and participate in discussions. Using these adverbs makes your speaking and writing sound more natural and precise. For example, telling a doctor you "rarely have headaches" is much more helpful than just saying "I have headaches."

Key Takeaway:

Correct word order is the secret to mastering adverbs of frequency. Remember to check if your verb is an "action" verb or a "be" verb before you place your adverb!