GRAMMAR A2 Adverbs of Frequency Word Order How Often Frequency Expressions

A2 Adverbs of Frequency

Learn to describe how often things happen using always, usually, often, sometimes, hardly ever and never. Impara a descrivere quanto spesso accadono le cose usando always, usually, often, sometimes, hardly ever e never.

I usually work She is always friendly We never eat meat How often…? twice a week

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1. See it in context1. Guarda gli avverbi di frequenza nel contesto

“I usually get up at seven, but I am sometimes tired in the morning. I often walk to work, and I never drive. I exercise twice a week.”
What to noticeCosa notare

usually get up / often walk / never drive: prima del verbo principale.

am sometimes tired: dopo il verbo be.

twice a week: espressione di frequenza, normalmente a fine frase.

2. A2 control panel2. Pannello di controllo A2

Main verb
adverb + verb

I usually work.

Verb be
be + adverb

She is always kind.

Auxiliary
auxiliary + adverb + verb

I have never seen it.

Question
How often...?

How often do you study?

Exact frequency
once / twice / times

three times a week

Never
no extra negative

I never smoke.

3. The frequency scale3. La scala della frequenza

AdverbApproximate frequencyFrequenza approssimativaExample
always100%I always check my work.
usually80–90%We usually eat at home.
often60–70%She often calls me.
sometimes40–50%They sometimes travel.
hardly ever / rarely5–10%I hardly ever watch TV.
never0%He never drinks coffee.

4. Position with main verbs4. Posizione con i verbi principali

Core rule:Regola centrale:

subject + adverb of frequency + main verb

Present Simple

I usually start at nine.

She often walks to work.

They never eat meat.

Negative

I don’t usually work on Sunday.

She doesn’t often travel.

Note: l’avverbio viene normalmente dopo don’t/doesn’t.

5. Position with be5. Posizione con be

Core rule:Regola centrale:

subject + am/is/are + adverb of frequency

I am usually busy.

She is always friendly.

They are sometimes late.

❌ She always is friendly.
✅ She is always friendly.

At A2 level, place the adverb after be.A livello A2, metti l’avverbio dopo be.

6. Position with auxiliary and modal verbs6. Posizione con ausiliari e verbi modali

StructureExample
have/has + adverb + participleI have never visited Dublin.
can + adverb + base verbWe can usually help.
will + adverb + base verbShe will probably arrive later.
do/does not + adverb + verbHe doesn’t often cook.

7. Sometimes can move7. Sometimes può spostarsi

Sometimes I work from home.

I sometimes work from home.

I work from home sometimes.

Sometimes is more flexible than most frequency adverbs.Sometimes è più flessibile della maggior parte degli avverbi di frequenza.

The middle position is the safest standard choice.La posizione centrale è la scelta standard più sicura.

8. How often questions8. Domande con How often

How often + do/does + subject + base verb?

How often do you exercise?

How often does she travel?

How often are they late?

Every day.
Once a week.
Twice a month.
Three times a year.
Hardly ever.

9. Exact frequency expressions9. Espressioni di frequenza esatta

NumberExpressionExample
1onceonce a week
2twicetwice a month
3+three/four timesthree times a year
regular cycleeveryevery day / every weekend
occasionalfrom time to timeI travel from time to time.
Italian trap: Si dice twice a week, non two times at week.

10. Never and hardly ever10. Never e hardly ever

never

I never smoke.

Significato negativo completo: 0%.

❌ I don’t never smoke.

hardly ever

I hardly ever eat fast food.

Significa quasi mai, ma non esattamente mai.

11. Italian brain vs English brain11. Cervello italiano vs cervello inglese

ItalianoErrore comuneInglese naturale
Vado sempre al lavoro in treno.I go always to work by train.I always go to work by train.
Lei è spesso stanca.She often is tired.She is often tired.
Non mangio mai carne.I don’t never eat meat.I never eat meat.
Due volte a settimana.Two times at week.Twice a week.
Quanto spesso studi?How many times you study?How often do you study?

12. Common mistakes12. Errori comuni

❌ I go usually to the gym.

Usually viene prima del verbo principale.

✅ I usually go to the gym.
❌ She always is busy.

Con be, l’avverbio viene dopo il verbo.

✅ She is always busy.
❌ I don’t never drink coffee.

Never è già negativo.

✅ I never drink coffee.
❌ I study English three time a week.

Da tre in poi usa times.

✅ I study English three times a week.

13. Concept Check Questions

1. What do adverbs of frequency tell us?1. Che cosa ci indicano gli avverbi di frequenza?
2. Where does an adverb of frequency normally go with a main verb?2. Dove va normalmente un avverbio di frequenza con un verbo principale?
3. Where does an adverb of frequency normally go with be?3. Dove va normalmente un avverbio di frequenza con be?
4. Does never need another negative word?4. Never richiede un’altra parola negativa?

14. Quick Check

1. I _____ check my email in the morning.1. _____ controllo la posta elettronica al mattino.
2. She is _____ late for work.2. Lei è _____ in ritardo al lavoro.
3. We _____ eat meat.3. Non mangiamo _____ carne.
4. _____ do you exercise?4. _____ fai esercizio?
5. I go swimming _____ a week.5. Vado a nuotare _____ a settimana.

15. Challenge Check

1. Choose the correct sentence.1. Scegli la frase corretta.
2. Which sentence is most natural?2. Quale frase è più naturale?
3. Which expression means “quasi mai”?3. Quale espressione significa “quasi mai”?
4. Which expression is correct?4. Quale espressione è corretta?
5. Which order goes from most frequent to least frequent?5. Quale ordine va dalla frequenza maggiore a quella minore?

16. Write it in English16. Scrivi in inglese

1. Di solito mi alzo alle sette.
2. Lei è sempre molto gentile.
3. Non mangio mai carne.
4. Quanto spesso vai in palestra?
5. Studio inglese tre volte a settimana.

17. Correction and transformation17. Correzione e trasformazione

1. Correct the sentence.

I go always to work by train.

2. Correct the sentence.

She always is tired after work.

3. Correct the sentence.

I don’t never watch television.

4. Rewrite using TWICE.

I play tennis on Monday and Thursday.

5. Ask about frequency.

Do you cook at home?

18. Mini dialogue18. Mini dialogo

A: “How often do you practise English?”A: “Quanto spesso pratichi l’inglese?”

19. Guided writing task19. Writing guidato

Write 60–90 words about your weekly routine and habits. Use at least six different frequency expressions. Scrivi 60–90 parole sulla tua routine settimanale e sulle tue abitudini. Usa almeno sei espressioni di frequenza diverse.

always
usually or often
sometimes
low-frequency adverb
exact frequency
frequency expression
Capital letter + punctuation + 60 words
Model answer:

I usually get up at seven, and I always have breakfast at home. I often go to work by bus, but I sometimes walk when the weather is good. I am rarely late. I study English three times a week and practise vocabulary every day. I hardly ever watch television during the week, but I sometimes watch a film at weekends. I never work on Sunday.

20. Use it in real life20. Usalo nella vita reale

Talk about habits

I usually study in the evening, but I never study late at night.

Ask about routines

How often do you practise speaking?

Want a lasting method to learn English?Vuoi un metodo duraturo per imparare l’inglese?

Book a consultation to identify the right path for your level and goals.Prenota un colloquio per individuare il percorso più adatto al tuo livello e ai tuoi obiettivi.

Book a consultationPrenota un colloquio

Final score and reportPunteggio finale e report

Your resultIl tuo risultato

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GRAMMAR A2 Present Perfect Life experiences Just / Already / Yet Italian learner editionEdizione per studenti italiani

A2 Present Perfect A2 Present Perfect

Learn to talk about life experiences, recent actions and situations that connect the past with the present. Use have/has + past participle with ever, never, just, already, yet, for and since. Impara a parlare di esperienze di vita, azioni recenti e situazioni che collegano il passato al presente. Usa have/has + participio passato con ever, never, just, already, yet, for e since.

I have finishedShe has goneHave you ever…? just / already / yetfor three yearssince 2022

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1. See it in context1. Guarda il Present Perfect nel contesto

“I have just finished my course. I have already passed two tests, but I haven’t taken the final exam yet. My friend has studied here for six months.” “I have just finished my course. I have already passed two tests, but I haven’t taken the final exam yet. My friend has studied here for six months.”
What students must noticeCosa devono notare gli studenti

have/has: cambia in base al soggetto.

finished, passed, taken, studied: participi passati.

just, already, yet: descrivono azioni recenti o attese.

for six months: durata che continua fino al presente.

2. Take on board: the A2 control panel2. Da portare via: il pannello di controllo A2

1. I/you/we/they
have + past participle

We have arrived.

2. He/she/it
has + past participle

She has arrived.

3. Negative
haven’t / hasn’t + participle

I haven’t finished.

4. Questions
Have/Has + subject + participle?

Have you seen it?

5. Life experience
ever / never

Have you ever flown?

6. Time connection
for / since

for two years / since 2023

3. The Present Perfect map3. La mappa del Present Perfect

Core formula:Formula centrale:

subject + have/has + past participle. The exact past time is often not stated because the connection with the present is important.

AffirmativeAffermativa

I have finished.

She has gone home.

Italian trap: Non usare il Past Simple dopo have/has: has went → has gone.

NegativeNegativa

I haven’t finished.

He hasn’t called.

Italian trap: Haven’t/hasn’t contiene già la negazione.

QuestionsDomande

Have you finished?

Has she arrived?

Italian trap: Non usare did con il Present Perfect.

Short answersRisposte brevi

Have they left? — Yes, they have.

Has he called? — No, he hasn’t.

Italian trap: Ripeti have o has, non il verbo principale.

4. Past participles4. Participi passati

Base formPast SimplePast participle
workworkedworked
finishfinishedfinished
gowentgone
seesawseen
dodiddone
writewrotewritten
taketooktaken
eatateeaten
bewas/werebeen
havehadhad

5. When do we use it?5. Quando lo usiamo?

Life experienceEsperienze di vita

I have visited Spain.

The exact time is not important or not stated.

Recent action with a present resultAzione recente con risultato presente

I have lost my keys.

Result now: I cannot open the door.

Unfinished time periodPeriodo di tempo non concluso

I have had three meetings today.

Today is not finished.

Situation continuing until nowSituazione che continua fino ad ora

We have lived here for five years.

We still live here now.

6. Ever, never, just, already and yet6. Ever, never, just, already e yet

WordParolaTypical useUso tipicoExampleEsempio
everquestions about experienceHave you ever flown?
nevernegative experience without notI have never flown.
justa very recent actionShe has just arrived.
alreadyearlier than expectedWe have already eaten.
yetquestions and negatives, usually at the endHave you finished yet?

7. For and since7. For e since

for

duration

for two hours

for three years

for a long time

since

starting point

since Monday

since 2022

since I was a child

Compare:Confronta:

I have worked here for five years.

I have worked here since 2021.

8. Present Perfect or Past Simple?8. Present Perfect o Past Simple?

Present PerfectPast Simple
I have been to Paris.
No exact time.		I went to Paris in 2024.
Finished past time.
Have you ever seen this film?
Life experience.		Did you see this film last night?
Specific finished time.
I have spoken to Anna today.
Today is not finished.		I spoke to Anna yesterday.
Yesterday is finished.
She has lived here for ten years.
She still lives here.		She lived here for ten years.
She does not live here now.
Do not normally use the Present Perfect with:Non usare normalmente il Present Perfect con:

yesterday, last week, in 2023, two days ago, when I was young

9. Italian brain vs English brain9. Cervello italiano vs cervello inglese

ItalianoCommon mistakeErrore comuneNatural EnglishInglese naturale
Sono stato a Londra.I have went to London.I have been to London.
L’ho visto ieri.I have seen him yesterday.I saw him yesterday.
Non ho ancora finito.I haven’t yet finished.I haven’t finished yet.
Vivo qui da tre anni.I live here since three years.I have lived here for three years.
Vivo qui dal 2022.I have lived here for 2022.I have lived here since 2022.
Hai mai provato?Did you ever tried?Have you ever tried?

10. Common mistakes10. Errori comuni

❌ She has went home.

Use the past participle gone.Usa il participio passato gone.

✅ She has gone home.
❌ I have seen him yesterday.

Yesterday requires the Past Simple.Yesterday richiede il Past Simple.

✅ I saw him yesterday.
❌ Have you ever went abroad?

Use the past participle been/gone.Usa il participio passato been/gone.

✅ Have you ever been abroad?
❌ I have lived here since five years.

Use for with a duration.Usa for con una durata.

✅ I have lived here for five years.

11. Concept Check Questions11. Domande di controllo del concetto

1. What is the basic structure of the Present Perfect?1. Qual è la struttura base del Present Perfect?
2. Which sentence talks about a life experience without saying when?2. Quale frase parla di un’esperienza di vita senza dire quando?
3. Which word is commonly used in questions about life experience?3. Quale parola si usa comunemente nelle domande sulle esperienze di vita?
4. Which form follows have or has?4. Quale forma segue have o has?

12. Quick Check12. Quick Check

1. She _____ finished her homework.1. Lei _____ finito i compiti.
2. We _____ seen that film.2. Noi _____ visto quel film.
3. Tom has _____ to the supermarket.3. Tom è _____ al supermercato.
4. I _____ finished yet.4. Non ho ancora finito.
5. _____ you ever tried sushi?5. Hai mai provato il sushi?

13. Challenge Check13. Challenge Check

1. I have _____ arrived, so I’m still at the station.1. Sono appena arrivato, quindi sono ancora alla stazione.
2. She has _____ sent the email.2. Ha già inviato l’email.
3. Choose the correct sentence.3. Scegli la frase corretta.
4. I have lived here _____ 2022.4. Vivo qui _____ 2022.
5. Choose the correct sentence.5. Scegli la frase corretta.

14. Write it in English14. Scrivi in inglese

1. Ho già finito il lavoro.
2. Non ho ancora visto quel film.
3. Sei mai stato a Londra?
4. Marta è appena arrivata.
5. Viviamo qui da tre anni.

15. Sentence correction and transformation15. Correzione e trasformazione delle frasi

1. Correct the sentence.

She has went home.

2. Correct the sentence.

I have seen him yesterday.

3. Rewrite using ALREADY.

They finished the project.

4. Rewrite using NEVER.

This is my first time in Spain.

5. Rewrite using SINCE.

She started working here in 2021 and she still works here.

16. Mini dialogue practice16. Mini dialogo pratico

A: “Have you ever travelled alone?”A: “Hai mai viaggiato da solo?”

17. Guided writing task17. Writing guidato

Write 50–80 words about experiences you have had and things you have done recently. Include at least five Present Perfect features. Scrivi 50–80 parole sulle esperienze che hai avuto e sulle cose che hai fatto recentemente. Includi almeno cinque elementi del Present Perfect.

have/has + participle
ever / never
just / already / yet
for + duration
since + starting point
connector
Capital letter + punctuation + 50 words
Model answer:

I have visited several Italian cities, but I have never been to Sicily. I have already travelled abroad twice, and I have just started planning another trip. I have studied English for three years, and I have attended this school since 2023. I haven’t taken an international exam yet, but I would like to do one soon.

18. Use it in real life18. Usalo nella vita reale

Talk about experienceParla delle esperienze

Example:
I have worked with international clients, but I have never lived abroad.

Give a recent updateDai un aggiornamento recente

Example:
I have just sent the documents, and the manager has already replied.
Want a lasting method to really learn English?Vuoi un metodo duraturo per imparare davvero l’inglese?

Book a consultation and we will help you identify the best path for your level, objectives and timetable.Prenota un colloquio: ti aiuteremo a individuare il percorso più adatto al tuo livello, ai tuoi obiettivi e ai tuoi tempi.

Book a consultationPrenota un colloquio

Final score and reportPunteggio finale e report

Your resultIl tuo risultato

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