Future and Adverbs of Frequency (Explanation and Exercises)
Future and Adverbs of Frequency (Explanation and Exercises)
Future and Adverbs of Frequency (Explanation and Exercises)
To speak about the future, you can use the following phrases:
1) Use “will” when you are volunteering to do something in the future, or when you are deciding
at the time of speaking to do something in the future.
In this example, the phrase “will” is used because the speaker is volunteering to cook dinner.
Example: Wow, the grass is getting tall. I think I will cut it tomorrow.
In this example, the phrase “will” is used because the decision to cut the grass tomorrow is
being made at the time of speaking.
In this example, the phrase “Will” is used because the decision to marry is being made at the
time of speaking.
2) Use “be going + [infinitive verb]” when you have already decided to do something in the
future.
= a decision is made to do an action in the future.
Example: Todd and I are going to eat at the new restaurant tonight. Do you want to come with
us?
In this example, the phrase “be going to” is used because Todd and I have already decided to
go to the restaurant.
Example: After work, James and Nicollet are going to watch a movie.
In this example, the phrase “going to” is used because James and Nicollet have already decided
to watch a movie after work.
Directions: Circle the correct future tense phrase in the following sentences.
2. It has been decided that we (will / are going to) climb Mount Everest next week.
4. We have already made plans for the vacation. We have decided that we (will / are going to)
visit uncle Bill in Montana.
5. Tonight seems like a nice night to be outside. I think I (will / am going to) go for a walk after
dinner.
7. I guess I (will / am going to) help you clean the kitchen if no one else will.
8. My car tires look low on air. I think I (will / am going to) fill them up at the next gas station.
9. The weather man said that it (will / is going to) rain tomorrow.
10. Okay, I have an idea. After we play the game, we (will / are going to) get some ice cream!
11. I think my dad said we (will / are going to) go to the beach this weekend.
12. If the bus (will not / is not going to) start, how will we get to school on time?
Complete the sentences with the correct form of will or be going to and the verbs in brackets.
2. - I know they _______________ (feel) very happy if they win the match.
3.- They’ve already decided on their next summer holiday. They _______________ do (do) a
tour of Norway.
4.- She thinks that the Take That concert _______________ be (be) really exciting.
5.- “What are your plans for this evening?” I _______________ meet (meet) my friends and
then go to
a birthday party.
6.- If you revise for the exam , I’m sure you _______________ get (get) a good result.
7.- The weather forecast is good for the next few days. It _______________ (be) very sunny.
8.- I can’t come on the march tomorrow. I _______________ look after (look after) my cousins.
9.- In the future, I think humans _______________ wipe out (wipe out) many different species.
10.- He is buying some butter and eggs because he _______________ make (make) a cake
later.
11.- This homework is very easy. I know we _______________ do (do) it very quickly.
13.- She wants to get her mum a birthday present. But she _______________ buy (not buy) it
today.
17.- It’s very late! Hurry up or we _______________ be (be) late for work.
18.- Look at that boy at the top of that tree! He _______________ fall (fall).
19. - When we go home, we _______________ watch (watch) TV. We don’t want to miss our
favorite program.
24.- I _______________ love (love) you forever. Pop the question Pop (propose)
25.- I’m thirsty. I _______________ get (get) you a glass of water.
ADVERBS OF FREQUENCY
Word order can be confusing with adverbs of frequency. Here are different rules for placement
in sentences.
1. If the sentence has one verb in it (e.g. no auxiliary verb) we usually put the adverb in the
middle of the sentence, i.e. after the subject and before the verb:
Tom usually goes to work by car. Tom doesn’t usually go to work by car
Mary often asks me for help. Mary doesn’t often ask me for help
This is not the case if we put the adverb at the beginning or end of the sentence for emphasis.
This rule also does not apply to short answers:
Conversation 1
Conversation 2
Conversation 3
Exception:
In sentences with "have to" the adverb is in position A (Subject / adverb / have to / main verb /
predicate):
4. For emphasis we can put the adverb at the beginning or end of the sentence. At the end is
unusual - we usually only put it there when we have forgotten to put it in earlier.
5. When using adverbs of frequency in the question form, put the adverb before the main verb.
Note: "Never", "seldom", "rarely" and other adverbs of frequency with a negative sense are not
usually used in the question form.
6. When using adverbs of frequency in the negative form, put the adverb before the main verb.
7. Negative adverbs (seldom, rarely, etc.) are NOT used with a negative auxiliary verb.
How often do you go to the movies? I’m asking for the frequency
Do you ever go to the movies? I’m asking if you go to movies
*Usually
*Often
*Frequently
*Generally
*Sometimes
Sometimes, Tom helps Mary with her homework.
Tom sometimes helps Mary with her homework.
Tom helps Mary with her homework, sometimes.
Practice
Directions: Rewrite each sentence on the line. Use the percentages to decide which adverb to
use. Then, decide whether the adverb comes before or after the verb.
9. The kids are ready when the school bus arrives. (1–10%)
1. Jorge usually does his homework. Raul always does his homework. Diego never does his
homework. Who is the best student?
2. The weather in Florida is rarely cold. It is sometimes cold in Mississippi. It is usually cold in
Alaska. If you don’t like cold weather, which state might be a good place for you to live in?
3. Sally seldom walks to work. Carol often walks to work. Betty walks to work, sometimes. Who
might drive to work more than walk there?
4. I usually put sugar in my coffee. Rick sometimes puts sugar in his tea. Gabrielle always puts
sugar on her cereal. Who uses sugar the most frequently?
5. My grandmother sometimes takes a walk after dinner. My brother always runs five miles
every morning. I hardly ever exercise. Who gets the most exercise?
6. Ramon rarely watches the news in English. Ivan usually listens to public radio in English.
Nadia seldom watches movies in English. Nadine always prefers to talk to her friends in their
native language. Who probably hears the most English in a day?
7. Joe is seldom late to work. Adam is usually late to work. Steve is rarely late to work. Who will
the boss most likely give a warning to first? Likely = probably
8. Mattie often spends three hours per day reading e-books on e-reader. Her dad is a professor,
and he usually reads a chapter in his textbook two nights per week. Her grandfather used to
read the newspaper, but now he seldom does. Who probably reads the most?
Write a new sentence using an Adverb of Frequency. Use the information in the parenthesis to
determine which Adverb of Frequency should be used. Underline the verbs.
2. My sister Mariana makes scrambled eggs for breakfast. (This happens most of the time)
3. She adds potatoes and green pepper to her eggs. (This happens much of the time)
4. There isn’t any meat in her scrambled eggs. (She’s vegetarian) (Hint: use because)
5. My brother Lucas eats a couple of pieces of toast with butter and jam. (He does this every
day)
6. He has a huge cup of black coffee with his toast. (He does this about half the time)
7. He is a quiet guy, so he doesn’t talk much at the breakfast table. (He is quiet most of the time,
and he almost never talks)
8. My family doesn’t start the day without having breakfast together. (This does not happen at
any time)