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English · CEFR Band 1 (A1) · Chapter 31

A typical day

I drink always or I always drink?

  1. Emma Minsu, what do you do every morning?
  2. Minsu I drink always coffee, and I check usually my phone.
  3. Emma Put the adverb before the verb: "I always drink coffee", "I usually check my phone".
  4. Minsu I see. I always drink coffee, and I usually check my phone.
  5. Emma Perfect. And remember: after "be", the adverb comes after — "I am always tired".
  6. Minsu Got it. I am always tired on Monday mornings!

Emma's morning

  1. Minsu Emma, what time do you usually wake up?
  2. Emma I usually wake up at six thirty. Then I always have a shower.
  3. Minsu Do you often have breakfast at home?
  4. Emma Yes, I often have toast, but I never drink coffee. I get dressed and leave at eight.
  5. Minsu You have a great routine! I am usually late in the morning.
  6. Emma Ha! Try going to bed a little earlier.
汉字PinyinPOSMeaning
wake up v. wake up
get up v. get up
have a shower v. have a shower
get dressed v. get dressed
leave v. leave
routine n. routine
always adv. always
usually adv. usually
often adv. often
sometimes adv. sometimes
never adv. never

I always get up early I always get up early

Adverbs of frequency tell you how often: always (100%), usually, often, sometimes, never (0%). The rule for where they go: BEFORE the main verb — "I always get up early", "She usually walks to work", "They never eat meat". But AFTER the verb "be" — "I am always busy", "He is often late". "Never" already carries the "no", so do not use "not" with it: say "I never drink coffee", not "I don't never drink". Korean also places the adverb before the verb (항상 먼저 온다), so the position feels natural, but many Korean learners drop it right after the verb, between it and the object: "I drink always coffee" ✗ → "I always drink coffee" ✓.

Adverbs of frequency tell you how often: always (100%), usually, often, sometimes, never (0%). The rule for where they go: BEFORE the main verb — "I always get up early", "She usually walks to work", "They never eat meat". But AFTER the verb "be" — "I am always busy", "He is often late". "Never" already carries the "no", so do not use "not" with it: say "I never drink coffee", not "I don't never drink". Korean also places the adverb before the verb (항상 먼저 온다), so the position feels natural, but many Korean learners drop it right after the verb, between it and the object: "I drink always coffee" ✗ → "I always drink coffee" ✓.

  • I always get up at seven o'clock. I always get up at seven o'clock.
  • She usually has a shower in the morning. She usually has a shower in the morning.
  • I am always busy on Mondays. I am always busy on Mondays.
  • He never leaves home before eight. He never leaves home before eight.

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