Ampersand Lab

Foundation grammar · Lesson 94 · A2

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

Words like always, never, often, also, still and all sit in the middle of the sentence. They go before an ordinary verb (I always walk), after am/is/are/was/were (She's always late), and between two verbs (I can never find my keys).

Start the lesson

18Steps · about 32 minutes

In this lesson

Words that go in the middleA6 screens of questions
Before an ordinary verbB1 screen of questions
After am, is, are, was, wereC1 screen of questions
Between two verbsD1 screen of questions
Put it together+3 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 4

Words that go in the middle

These words often go with the verb, in the middle of the sentence:

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

  • My neighbour never says hello.
  • He's always in a hurry.
  • Do you often eat out?
  • I sometimes stay up too late. (or Sometimes I stay up too late.)
  • I don't want to watch it. I've already seen it.
  • I've got four cousins. They're all teachers.

Point A · Exercise 94.1 · part 1 of 2

Read Ben's answers to the questions and write sentences about him with often/never etc.

  1. Example

    Do you ever play golf? Ben: Yes, often.

    Ben often plays golf.

    AnswerBen often plays golf.

  2. Do you get up early? Ben: Yes, always.

  3. Are you ever late for college? Ben: No, never.

  4. Do you ever lose your temper? Ben: Sometimes.

  5. Do you ever go cycling? Ben: Yes, often.

Point A · Exercise 94.1 · part 2 of 2

Read Ben's answers to the questions and write sentences about him with often/never etc.

  1. Are you at home at weekends? Ben: Yes, usually.

Point A · Exercise 94.2 · part 1 of 4

Write these sentences with the word in brackets.

  1. Example

    My neighbour says hello. (never)

    My neighbour never says hello.

    AnswerMy neighbour never says hello.

  2. Hannah is cheerful. (always)

  3. I leave the office at six. (usually)

  4. Liam has passed his driving test. (just)

  5. I go out on weeknights. (rarely)

Point A · Exercise 94.2 · part 2 of 4

Write these sentences with the word in brackets.

  1. The train isn't full. (usually)

  2. I don't drink coffee. (often)

  3. I will forget your kindness. (never)

  4. Have you broken a bone? (ever)

Point A · Exercise 94.2 · part 3 of 4

Write these sentences with the word in brackets.

  1. Do you live in the same flat? (still)

  2. They go to the same campsite. (always)

  3. Mark doesn't work on Sundays. (usually)

  4. Is the taxi here? (already)

Point A · Exercise 94.2 · part 4 of 4

Write these sentences with the word in brackets.

  1. What do you do on Saturdays? (usually)

  2. I can find a parking space. (never)

Point B of 4

Before an ordinary verb

always / never etc. go before the verb: always go, often play, never feel.

  • I always walk to work. (not I walk always)
  • Jo often plays golf. (not Jo plays often golf)
  • You sometimes seem worried.
  • We usually eat at about eight.
  • We rarely (or seldom) go to the theatre.
  • Zara is a great runner. She also plays hockey and netball. (not She plays also hockey)
  • I've got four cousins. They all live in Leeds.

Point B · Extra practice

Put the word in brackets in the right place. Write the words from the gap.

  1. I to work. (walk / always)

  2. We at about eight. (eat / usually)

  3. My grandad to the doctor's. (goes / never)

Point C of 4

After am, is, are, was, were

With am / is / are / was / were, the word goes after the verb: is always, are often, was never.

  • I'm never bored. (not I never am bored)
  • They're usually in bed by ten.
  • It's often foggy here in autumn.
  • When I was at school, I was always hungry.
  • "Where's Dan?" "He's still asleep."
  • I've got two sisters. They're both nurses.

Point C · Extra practice

Put the word in brackets in the right place. Write the words from the gap.

  1. I'm tired on Mondays. (always)

  2. The trains late in winter. (are / often)

  3. She happy at that school. (was / never)

Point D of 4

Between two verbs

When there are two verbs (will ... remember, can ... find, have ... been), the word goes between them.

verb 1 verb 2
will always remember
can never find
does often rain
have ever been
has just gone
  • I'll always remember this day.
  • It doesn't often snow in Cornwall.
  • Do you usually take the bus?
  • I can never remember her surname.
  • Have you ever been to Prague?
  • "Where's Dan?" "He's just left." (he's = he has)
  • "Where are the kids?" "They've all gone to the park."

Point D · Extra practice

Put the word in brackets between the two verbs. Write the words from the gap.

  1. I this holiday. (will / always / remember)

  2. to Ireland? (have you / ever / been)

  3. I my keys in the morning. (can / never / find)

Put it together · Exercise 94.3

Answer the questions with also. Use the words in brackets.

  1. Example

    Do you play the piano? (the violin)

    Yes, and I also play the violin.

    AnswerYes, and I also play the violin.

  2. Do you speak German? (Dutch)

  3. Are you cold? (wet)

  4. Have you been to Scotland? (Wales)

  5. Did you buy any bread? (some cheese)

Put it together · Exercise 94.4 · part 1 of 2

Write sentences with both (about two people) and all (about three people).

  1. Example

    Two friends, Amy and Kit. Each says: I live in Bristol. I play the drums. I'm a nurse. I've got a dog.

    (live in Bristol)

    They both live in Bristol.

    AnswerThey both live in Bristol.

  2. Two friends, Amy and Kit. Each says: I live in Bristol. I play the drums. I'm a nurse. I've got a dog.

    (play the drums)

  3. Two friends, Amy and Kit. Each says: I live in Bristol. I play the drums. I'm a nurse. I've got a dog.

    (be nurses)

  4. Two friends, Amy and Kit. Each says: I live in Bristol. I play the drums. I'm a nurse. I've got a dog.

    (have got dogs)

  5. Three brothers. Each says: I'm married. I was born in Ireland. I work in London.

    (be married)

Put it together · Exercise 94.4 · part 2 of 2

Write sentences with both (about two people) and all (about three people).

  1. Three brothers. Each says: I'm married. I was born in Ireland. I work in London.

    (be born in Ireland)

  2. Three brothers. Each says: I'm married. I was born in Ireland. I work in London.

    (work in London)

Lesson 94 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: still, yet, alreadyBack to the course

–Right

Each point

A. Words that go in the middle–Not checkedB. Before an ordinary verb–Not checkedC. After am, is, are, was, were–Not checkedD. Between two verbs–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked