Page 14 - Time_To_Talk_-_Pre-Intermediate
P. 14
Language Focus
1 We call words like never, hardly ever, sometimes, often, usually, and always, adverbs of
frequency. We use them to talk about how common it is for us to do something.
Adverbs of frequency usually go after be, but in front of other main verbs.
I’m always hungry in the afternoon.
They aren’t usually tired in the morning.
I sometimes make a big bacon sandwich.
He doesn’t usually eat lunch.
Questions and short answers
When does he usually fi nish work?
What do you usually have for breakfast?
When are you usually here?
Do you ever work late? Yes, sometimes/often. / No, never.
2 We can use almost in front of words like always, never, all, every, everyone, and no one.
We can also use it in front of numbers.
almost never = not never but very close (hardly ever)
almost all = not all, but very close (maybe 99%)
almost no one = not no one, but very close (maybe one or two people)
almost 27 = less than 27, but very close (maybe his birthday is next month)
I almost always have breakfast.
She almost never eats meat, but sometimes she has a bacon sandwich.
Almost everyone went for a drink after work, but I went home.
He won almost every time. We played 10 games and I beat him only once.
There were almost 30 people at the party - maybe 27 or 28.
Be careful: We don’t usually follow almost with a noun.
X Almost people in my offi ce are American.
Almost all the people in my offi ce are American.
Almost everyone in my offi ce is American.
Practice
6 a Work with a partner. Write the words in the correct order to make sentences.
1 almost / it’s / five o’clock It·s almost À ve o·clock.
2 usually / mornings / the / tired / she’s / in
3 I / TV / almost / watch / never
4 always / office / work / almost / we / late / in / our
5 isn’t / Tim / for / often / late / meetings
6 business / I / trips / ever / go / on / hardly
7 you / buy / food / where / usually / do
8 for / work / ever / late / you / are
b Track 06 Listen and check your answers.
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14 Lesson 3esson 3 Lesson 3 15
