Flo-Joe for Cambridge English Exams

Cambridge English: Preliminary

Vocabulary practice for the Cambridge PET exam

Grammar: Adverbs of Frequency

1: Work it Out

Adverbs of frequency like 'sometimes', 'usually', 'often', 'rarely' and 'never' can appear before or after the main verb depending upon which verb is used. Can you work out the rules from these sentences?

I often go to the cinema.
I don't usually study at the weekend.
We're rarely busy at this time of year.
I have never been to America.
I sometimes have to work late.
I can never remember his name.

 

 

2: Check Adverbs of Frequency

Decide if the position of the adverbs in the following sentences is correct or incorrect:

1) I always go swimming in the morning.
2)
Their mum makes usually sandwiches for their school lunch.
3) We have to always wait ages for a bus in the morning.
4) Sam often is the first person to offer people help if they need it.
5) I can usually get my homework done in time.

Well done. The adverb usually goes before the main verb but after the verb 'to be'. If there are two verbs, such as 'can get', 'have eaten' 'will visit' etc, the adverb goes between the two verbs.Try again. The adverb usually goes before the main verb but after the verb 'to be'. If there are two verbs, such as 'can get', 'have eaten' 'will visit' etc, the adverb goes between the two verbs.Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

3: Sentence Transformation

For each question, complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first.
Use no more than three words.

1. Tim rarely goes to a football match.
Tim does........................................ to a football match.

That's right.No. The correct answer is 'not often go' or 'n't often go'.Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

 

2. I meet my friend for lunch most Saturdays.
I ........................................ my friend for lunch on Saturday.

That's right.No. The correct answer is 'often meet' or 'usually meet'.Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

 

3. Every time I call Mark he's out.
Mark ........................................ in when I call.

That's right.No. The correct answer is 'is never' or ''s never'.Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

 

4. This is the first time I have travelled by plane.
I ........................................ by plane before.

That's right.No. The correct answer is 'have never travelled' or ''ve never travelled.Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

 

5. On most days Sarah cycles to work.
Sarah ........................................ work by bike.

That's right.No. The correct answer is 'usually goes/travels to', 'often goes/travels to'.Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

 

6. The children never tidy their room unless I tell them to.
I ........................................ tell the children to tidy their room.

That's right.No. The correct answer is 'always have to'.Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

 

Study Tip, Grammar

To practise adverbs of frequency list some common daily activities and then decide how often you do them. For example:

Watch TV in the evening
Are late for school/work
Have to do homework