Present simple and adverbs of frequency

We use the present simple, often with adverbs of frequency, to talk about things which happen regularly. You will use it talk about your daily life.

a) Look at these sentences Underline the frequency adverbs. 1 The food always tastes delicious. 2 It is usually popular with families. 3 Some of his friends never eat meat. 4 The Atrium is rarely quiet. 5 The service is sometimes slow at weekends. 6 Chloe often has lunch with her mother on Fridays.

Now complete the rule. In the present simple, adverbs of frequency go .................... the verb to be and ……………… other verbs.

2 Read this letter. The adverbs of frequency are in brackets. Put them in the correct places. Dear Luca How are you? I've got a weekend

job now in a restaurant. I can't play tennis with you any more on Saturday mornings because I get up early (never) and I go to bed late (always) at weekends. The restaurant is crowded on Saturday evenings (usually) so I feel tired (often). But the food is really good (always) so I have a meal (usually) before I start work. I enjoy the work (usually) but customers are rude (sometimes) to me and then I'm not happy. Write back soon. Joe

3a) How do you spend your time at the weekend? Add a suitable adverb of frequency from Exercise 1 to the answers below so that they are true for you.

I listen to music. I sometimes listen to music1 I go shopping with my friends. 2 I do my homework. 3 I play tennis. 4 I go to the cinema. 5 I spend some time with my family. 6 I go to school. 7 I go swimming.

» Now ask and answer these questions with a partner. How do you spend your time at the weekend? Do you (listen to music) at the weekend?

• Match these questions (1-4) with the answers (A-D) below.

1 What is Annie doing? 2 What does Annie do? 3 When does Annie get up? 4 Where is Annie staying?

A She gets up at 7.30. B She's listening to music. C She's staying with her sister. D She works in a shop.

B

D

A

C

5 Read this conversation and put the verbs in brackets into the correct form of the present simple or the present continuous.

Ben: Hi Tom. I'm bored. I’m sitting (sit) in my room and there's nothing to do. What (you/do)?

Tom: I (look) after my little brother. My mum's got a new job and she (work) on Saturdays.

Ben: (you/look) after him every Saturday? Tom: No, my mum usually (take) him to my

grandparents but they (play) golf today. Ben: Oh. Well, I (not do) anything so I'll come

over. We can play football with your brother. Tom: OK.

are you doing

‘m lookingworks

Do you look

takes‘re playing

‘m not doing

6a) Work in pairs. Look at Picture A and the description below. Correct anymistakes.

There are two girls and a boy. I think they're friends. The girl is sitting down and she's wearing a skirt and a jacket. She's talking to a boy with dark hair. He's wearing shorts and a t-shirt. They both look serious. The other boy has dark hair too. He's sitting under a tree and he's writing something. He's wearing shorts anda t-shirt.

Now write a similar description of Picture B below.

7a) Look at the underlined verbs in Exercise 6a. They are stativeverbs. These are verbs which are not used in the present continuous when they have a certain meaning.

• They are verbs about: • thoughts (believe, know, think, remember,

understand) • feelings and opinions (like, love, hate, want,

wish, prefer, seem, look) • owning (have, belong, own). • Compare these pairs of sentences: • I think they're friends. I'm thinking about my friend.

(my opinion) (I'm doing it now.) They both look serious. I'm looking out of the window.(my opinion) (I'm doing it now.) The boy has dark hair. The boy is having lunch.(it belongs to him) (He's eating it now.)

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form of the present simple or the present continuous

• (think) Do you think this jacket suits me?• That girl (wave) to you. She (seem) to

know you. • Jane can't talk to you now. She (have) a

shower. • (remember) Peter's phone number? I

can't find it. • I (not want) to go out. I (watch)

this film which is really good. • 'Where's Luisa?' • 'She (sit) over there. She (look)

tired.' • My sister (have) black hair and blue eyes. • Hurry up. Mauro (wait) for us. He (hate)

being late

is waving seems

is having

Do you remember

don’t want am watching

is sitting looks

hasis waiting hates