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Adverbs of Frequency: It’s like a jungle SOMETIMES!

August 1, 2013 by Stephen Mayeux

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five was an influential hip hop group formed in the South Bronx of New York City in 1978. Composed of one DJ (Grandmaster Flash) and five rappers (Melle Mel, Kidd Creole, Cowboy, Mr. Ness/Scorpio, and Rahiem), the group’s use of turntablism, break-beat deejaying, choreographed stage routines and lyricism was a significant force in the early development of hip-hop music.

The group rose to fame in the early 1980s with their first successful single “Freedom” and later on with “The Message“, which is often cited as among the most influential hip hop songs. However, in 1983, relations between Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel became strained and the group disbanded. A reunion was organized in 1987, and it released a new album. Afterward, the sextet disbanded permanently (taken verbatim from Wikipedia).

Don’t push me ’cause I’m close to the edge.
I’m trying not to lose my head.
It’s like a jungle sometimes.
It makes me wonder how I keep from going under.

Grammar: Adverbs of Frequency

It’s like a jungle sometimes.

We use frequency adverbs to give more information about our routines or actions that happen on a regular basis. These are the most common adverbs of frequency:

  • Always
  • Almost always
  • Normally
  • Frequently
  • Usually
  • Often
  • Occasionally
  • Sometimes
  • Hardly
  • Rarely
  • Seldom
  • Never

Adverbs can take three positions in a sentence: front position, mid position and final position. 

Sometimes and usually can go in front position:

  • Sometimes it’s like a jungle.
  • Sometimes life is difficult.
  • Usually I exercise in the morning.
  • Usually Monday mornings are depressing.

Usually, normally, often, frequently, sometimes and occasionally can go in end position:

  • I listen to rap in the morning usually.
  • He studies English frequently.
  • My mother gets very sad sometimes.
  • She visits her friends in Europe occasionally.

Always, ever, usually, normally, often, frequently, sometimes, occasionally, rarely, seldom and never can go in mid-position.

In mid-position, adverbs go:

  • after BE verbs am/are/is/was/were
    • He is always late to class.
    • She was rarely a bad student.
  • After Auxiliary verbs
    • I am frequenltly looking for new music.
    • The dog will sometimes bark at cars.
  • Before all other verbs
    • My father always wakes up at 5 a.m.
    • He never eats after 10 p.m.

Discussion Question

Why is life so difficult sometimes? How are the state of affairs in your country? Are there many people living in poverty? How do these problems make you feel, and what can you do to fix them. Write your opinion in the comments below!

Filed Under: Grammar, Level 1, Students Tagged With: adverbs, grammar

About The Founder

Stephen Mayeux is the founder of ESLhiphop.com. He used to be an English Teacher, but now he lives in Austin, TX and works as a software developer.

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