How often do you do something?

Which word means you do something more; often or sometimes?

Do you often go to the gym in the evening?

Or do you sometimes read a book?

Or do you usually watch tv?

The words often, sometimes and usually are known as adverbs of frequency and they are used to say 'how often' something happens. Knowing their order from always to never can help us understand the frequency or 'how often' something happens.

I go swimming on Wednesdays.

I always go swimming on Wednesdays.

I go swimming on Wednesdays, but not during the school holidays.

I usually go swimming on Wednesdays.

I go to the library for a new book every 3-6 weeks.

I often go to the library.

I go to the big shopping mall every couple of months, but most of the time I shop locally.

Sometimes I go to the shopping mall, but usually I shop locally.

I go to watch a live football match once or twice a year.

I occasionally go to watch a live football match.

I don't play tennis very often, only when I'm on holiday.

I hardly ever play tennis.

I don't like running.

I never run!

Now you have read through some examples, test your knowledge with this quiz:

Which adverb of frequency fits best in each sentence:

1. Emily goes to a yoga class once every couple weeks.

Emma occasionally goes to a yoga class.

Answer:

'Emma often goes to a yoga class.' Often is used because it is something that happens fairly regularly, every couple of weeks.

2. Tom goes swimming once or twice a week during the summer, if the weather is nice.

Tom usually goes swimming in the summer.

Answer:

Usually is correct because it is something he does quite often during the summer.

3. Fiona doesn't like reading and only reads a book when she has to for school.

Fiona hardly ever reads a book.

Answer:

Hardly ever is correct because reading a book is something Fiona does very rarely.

4. Kathy takes part in an obstacle run once or twice a year.

Kathy sometimes takes part in an obstacle run.

Answer:

'Kathy occasionally takes part in an obstacle run.' Occasionally is used because it is something that doesn't happen very often, only once or twice a year.

5. Ashley washes her hair in the shower every day.

Ashley usually washes her hair in the shower.

Answer:

'Ashley always washes her hair in the shower.' Always is used because it is something that happens all the time.

6. Ben is lactose intolerant.

Ben never eats food with lactose in it.

Answer:

Never is correct because it is something that doesn't happen.

7. Helen cycles to school most of the time, unless the weather is bad and then she might go in the car.

Helen cycles to school most of the time, usually she goes in the car if the weather is bad.

Answer:

'Helen cycles to school most of the time, sometimes she goes in the car if the weather is bad.' Sometimes is used instead of usually because of the word 'might' in the sentence. 'Might' suggests something doesn't happen very often.