Daily routines and frequency
Describe your day and say how often you do things with always, usually, sometimes and never.
In this lesson you will
- Use daily-routine verbs (get up, have breakfast…)
- Use adverbs of frequency in the right position
- Describe your day in order: first, then, after that
Learn
Routine phrases: wake up, get up, have a shower, get dressed, have breakfast, go to work/school, start work, have lunch, finish work, get home, cook dinner, relax, go to bed.
Adverbs of frequency say how often: always (100%), usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never (0%).
Position: before the main verb (I usually* walk to work) but after be* (She’s always* late*).
Ask How often…? and answer with frequency expressions at the end: every day, once a week, twice a month, three times a year.
Order your day with first, then, after that, later, finally.
| Adverb | How often |
|---|---|
| always | 100% |
| usually | about 90% |
| often | about 70% |
| sometimes | about 50% |
| rarely | about 10% |
| never | 0% |
Examples
- I always get up at 6:30.
- She usually has cereal for breakfast.
- We’re never late for work.
- I go to the gym twice a week.
- First I have a shower, then I get dressed.
Vocabulary
get up
leave your bed
“I get up at seven.”
have a shower
wash under running water
get dressed
put on your clothes
have breakfast
eat your morning meal
go to bed
go to sleep at night
twice
two times
“twice a week”
In real life
A student describes her day.
I usually wake up at seven, but I get up at quarter past. First I have a shower, then I get dressed and have breakfast — always toast and tea. I catch the bus at eight. Classes start at nine and finish at three. After that I sometimes meet friends. I get home at five, cook dinner and study. I never go to bed before eleven!
Practice
Which sentence is correct?
Listening: A nurse’s day
Audio isn’t available in this browser — read the transcript instead.
Interviewer: Tell me about your day.
Nurse: I work nights, so my day is different. I usually get up at three in the afternoon.
Interviewer: In the afternoon?
Nurse: Yes! I have breakfast at four, and I start work at eight in the evening.
Interviewer: When do you finish?
Nurse: At eight in the morning. Then I go home and sleep. I never drink coffee after midnight.
1.What time does the nurse usually get up?
2.When does the nurse start work?
3.The nurse often drinks coffee after midnight.
Speaking
Describe your typical weekday from morning to night. Use at least four adverbs of frequency and first / then / after that.
Model answer
I usually wake up at 6:45. First I have a shower, then I get dressed. I always have breakfast with my son. After that I drive to work…
Writing
Write about your perfect weekend day in 60–80 words, using the present simple and adverbs of frequency.
- ☐ Times (at 9 o’clock…)
- ☐ At least three frequency adverbs
- ☐ Sequence words: first, then, after that
Lesson quiz
She ___ breakfast. (never)
Review
Key points
- Routine verbs: get up, have breakfast, go to work, get home, go to bed.
- always > usually > often > sometimes > rarely > never.
- Adverb before main verb, after be.
- How often …? — once/twice/three times a week.
What you learned
- ✓ I can describe my daily routine.
- ✓ I can say how often I do things.
- ✓ I can put events in order.
Grammar reference: Present simple