Unit 94 · Word order

always/usually/often etc. (word order 2)

Study

These words (always/never etc.) go with the verb in the middle of a sentence:

always	often	ever	rarely	also	already	all
usually	sometimes	never	seldom	just	still	both

›

My brother never speaks to me.

›

She's always late.

›

Do you often go to restaurants?

›

I sometimes eat too much. (or Sometimes I eat too much.)

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A: Don't forget to phone Laura. B: I've already phoned her.

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I've got three sisters. They're all married.

Always/never etc. go *before* the verb:

always	go
often	play
never	have
etc.	etc.

›

I always drink coffee in the morning.

(not I drink always coffee)

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Helen often goes to London.

(not Helen goes often)

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You sometimes look unhappy.

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They usually have dinner at 7 o'clock.

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We rarely watch TV. or We seldom watch TV.

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Richard is a good footballer. He also plays tennis and volleyball.

(not He plays also tennis)

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I've got three sisters. They all live in London.

But always/never etc. go *after* am/is/are/was/were:

am	always
is	often
are	never
was	etc.
were

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I am always tired.

(not I always am tired)

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They are never at home during the day.

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It is usually very cold here in winter.

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When I was a child, I was often late for school.

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A: Where's Laura? B: She's still in bed.

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I've got two brothers. They're both doctors.

Always/never etc. go *between* two verbs (have ... been / can ... find etc.):

will	always	go
can	often	find
do	never	remember
etc.	etc.	etc.
have		gone
has		been

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I will always remember you.

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It doesn't often rain here.

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Do you usually go to work by car?

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I can never find my keys.

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Have you ever been to Egypt?

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A: Where's Laura? B: She's just gone out. (She's = She has)

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My friends have all gone to the cinema.

Exercises (4)

0/4 exercises checked

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94.1

Read Paul's answers to the questions. Write sentences about Paul with often/never etc.

1
Do you ever play tennis? -> Yes, often.
example
2
Do you get up early? -> Yes, always.
He
3
Are you ever late for work? -> No, never.
He
4
Do you ever get angry? -> Sometimes.
5
Do you ever go swimming? -> Rarely.
6
Are you at home in the evenings? -> Yes, usually.

94.2

Write these sentences with never/always/usually etc.

1
My brother speaks to me. (never) -> example
2
Susan is polite. (always) -> Susan
3
I finish work at 5 o'clock. (usually) -> I
4
Sarah has started a new job. (just) -> Sarah
5
I go to bed before midnight. (rarely) ->
6
The bus isn't late. (usually) ->
7
I don't eat fish. (often) ->
8
I will forget what you said. (never) ->
9
Have you lost your passport? (ever) ->
10
Do you work in the same place? (still) ->
11
They stay in the same hotel. (always) ->
12
Jane doesn't work on Saturdays. (usually) ->
13
Is Tina here? (already) ->
14
What do you have for breakfast? (usually) ->
15
I can remember his name. (never) ->

94.3

Write sentences with also.

1
Do you play football? (tennis) -> example
2
Do you speak Italian? (French) -> Yes, and I
3
Are you tired? (hungry) -> Yes, and
4
Have you been to England? (Ireland) -> Yes,
5
Did you buy any clothes? (some books) ->

94.4

Write sentences with both and all.

1
Two boys: 'I live in London. I play football. I'm a student. I've got a car.'
They both live in London.example
2
Two boys: 'I live in London. I play football. I'm a student. I've got a car.'
They football.
3
Two boys: 'I live in London. I play football. I'm a student. I've got a car.'
students.
4
Two boys: 'I live in London. I play football. I'm a student. I've got a car.'
cars.
5
Three girls: 'I'm married. I was born in England. I live in New York.'
They married.
6
Three girls: 'I'm married. I was born in England. I live in New York.'
They England.
7
Three girls: 'I'm married. I was born in England. I live in New York.'