Frequency Phrases

Listen to four conversations using the grammar point.
Frequency Phrases

Frequency Phrases

Hear four conversations using this grammar point for free on elllo.org

Answer the following questions about the interview.

Frequency Phrases

Point 1: English has phrases that work like adverbs of frequency.
  1. All the time - often
  2. Most of the time - usually
  3. From time to time - sometimes
  4. Once in a while - sometimes
  5. Every now and then - sometimes
  6. Hardly every - rarely
  7. Almost never - rarely
  8. Once in a blue moon - very rarely
Point 2 : Frequency phrases often go after the verb and at the end of the sentence.
  1. I go there once in a while .
  2. I see him from time to time.
  3. We shop there all the time.
  4. I play tennis once in a blue moon.
Point 3 : Most frequency phrases can go before the subject.
  1. Once in a while I go there.
  2. From time to time, I see him.
  3. Once in a blue moon, I play tennis.
  4. Every now and then, we order pizza.
Point 4 : Some phrases never start a sentence.
  • I go there all the time. (right)
  • All the time I go there. (wrong)
  • I see him hardly ever. (right)
  • I hardly ever see him. (right)
  • Hardly every I see him. (wrong)

Note: "Hardly every" and "almost never" often go before a verb.

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