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Toeic Grammar Guide Adverbs of Frequency

This document discusses adverbs of frequency in English grammar. It defines two types of adverbs of frequency: definite and indefinite. Adverbs of definite frequency indicate exact frequencies like daily, weekly, or twice a month. They occur at the beginning or end of sentences. Adverbs of indefinite frequency are less precise like often, usually, or rarely. They occur in the middle of sentences, either between the subject and verb, after a form of to be, or between a helping verb and main verb. Common adverbs of indefinite frequency are provided along with examples of their usage.

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223 views

Toeic Grammar Guide Adverbs of Frequency

This document discusses adverbs of frequency in English grammar. It defines two types of adverbs of frequency: definite and indefinite. Adverbs of definite frequency indicate exact frequencies like daily, weekly, or twice a month. They occur at the beginning or end of sentences. Adverbs of indefinite frequency are less precise like often, usually, or rarely. They occur in the middle of sentences, either between the subject and verb, after a form of to be, or between a helping verb and main verb. Common adverbs of indefinite frequency are provided along with examples of their usage.

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naf1
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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TOEIC Grammar Guide - Adverbs of Frequency
Adverbs of Frequency
Introduction
Adverbs are words that are used to help describe verbs. Adverbs can also be used to describe adjectives
and other adverbs. Adverbs of frequency are ones that describe when or how often something is done.
There are two types: adverbs of definite frequency and adverbs of indefinite frequency.
Learning Hint:
The position of an adverb in a sentence tells you whether it is an adverb of definite or indefinite frequency.
Adverbs of Definite Frequency
Adverbs of definite frequency occur at the beginning or the end of a sentence.
Common ones are hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly. Other ones are once a month, every month,
and every other month. In each one, month can be replaced with hour, day, week, or year. Any exact
number of times that happen in a given time period are also adverbs of definite frequency: twice a week,
twice a year, three times a month, four times a year, once every five years, and so on.
Examples:
Every day, some employees go out for lunch.
Some employees go out for lunch every day.
Payroll must be done every two weeks.
The sales manager gets new e-mail hourly.
Adverbs of Indefinite Frequency
Adverbs of indefinite frequency include always, usually, never, often, very often, rarely, sometimes, seldom,
once in a while, repeatedly, typically, hardly ever, and occasionally. Adverbs of indefinite frequency occur in
the middle of the sentence. Where exactly it is placed depends on the type of verbs in the sentence. There
are three possible places:
1. Between the subject and the main verb UNLESS the verb is a form of be: is, am, are, was, were.
Examples:
She often takes her vacation in winter.
The employees always work until seven.
The manager usually arrives first at the staff meetings.
2. After the be verb form when it is the main verb.
Examples:
She is often ill in winter.
The employees are always working until seven.
The manager is usually the first person to arrive.
3. Between the helping verb and the main verb. This is always true, even when the main verb is a verb form
of be.
Examples:
31/01/13 14:02 TOEIC Grammar Guide - Adverbs of Frequency
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She has often gone on vacation in winter.
The employees can always work until seven.
The manager will usually arrive first at the staff meetings.
Incorrect: The owners have been rarely unreasonable.
Correct: The owners have rarely been unreasonable.
(Have is the helping verb, been is the be verb form)

Usage note: Some indefinite frequency adverbs can be placed at the beginning or end of a main
clause: usually, normally, often, frequently, sometimes, once in a while, and occasionally.
Examples:
Once in a while we like to for a long drive.
He accompanies her to the shopping mall occasionally.

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