Adverbs of frequency — O/L English

What must I remember about Adverbs of frequency?

• Adverbs of frequency indicate routine intervals: always (100%), usually (80%), often (60%), sometimes (50%), seldom/rarely (20%), never (0%).
• Positioning of frequency adverbs: Placed immediately before main verbs ('She always completes her revision'), but placed immediately after auxiliary 'be' verbs ('He is never late').
• Gerunds (-ing functioning as noun) serve as subjects, direct objects, or prepositional complements: 'Managing time effectively reduces academic anxiety', 'fond of reading'.
• Infinitives of purpose (to + base verb) explain rationale and intent: 'She created a revision timetable to allocate study sessions evenly'.
• Verbs strictly taking gerunds: avoid, enjoy, postpone, consider, suggest, practice, admit, deny.

Test yourself (1 minute)

1. The gerund vs infinitive verb categorization trap

   Confusing verbs followed by gerunds with those followed by infinitives (e.g., 'avoid to waste' is INVALID; write 'avoid wasting'; 'decide studying' is INVALID; write 'decide to study').

2. Frequency adverb placement error

   Never place adverbs of frequency between a verb and its direct object (e.g., 'He does always his homework' is INCORRECT; write 'He always does his homework').

3. Expository essay on time management (Paper 2 Test 16)

   Incorporate gerund phrases as cohesive topic sentences at the head of analytical paragraphs.

Practise Adverbs of frequency questions today

Source: NIE G.C.E. (O/L) English Language Syllabus (Grade 11, Unit 5)

What comes next?

Next in the syllabus

Where does Adverbs of frequency fit in the syllabus?

Grade 11 · Term 2