1.Chunks of language
to do something on an empty stomach
to do something without eating first
a full English breakfast
a cooked breakfast, usually with bacon, sausage, eggs, mushrooms, beans, tomatoes, toast and tea
to take a long time
to happen slowly
the rush hour
the period of time in the morning and evening when the traffic is very busy with people going to and from work
a lot of fun
very enjoyable
all over the world
everywhere around the earth
(I’ll be) back in a bit
(I’ll) return soon
2.Grammar Reference
Adverbs of frequency
Meaning and use
Adverbs give us more information about a verb. Adverbs of frequency tell us how often an activity happens. There are many adverbs to choose from. Here are some of the most common ones, listed from most frequent to least frequent
I always walk to work…
They usually arrive late.
My father often forgets his birthday.
He sometimes wakes up early.
I rarely drink tea in the morning.
You hardly ever say you love me.
Jenny never drinks coffee in the evening.
We can use adverbs of frequency with the verb to be.
We are never unhappy.
This time of year is usually the coldest.
We can use modal verbs with adverbs of frequency. For example, we can use the auxiliary verbs can, should and might, which express ability (can), obligation (should), and possibility (might).
Laura can sometimes hold her breath for over a minute.
You should always put on suncream when it’s very sunny.
We might never see each other again.
Form
Adverbs of frequency go before the main verb.
subject + adverb + main verb
I always eat breakfast.
They sometimes take a taxi.
They go after the verb ‘to be’.
subject + to be + adverb + main verb
I am always late for work.
He is often ready for work at 6 am.
We aren’t usually hungry in the morning.
They go between a modal and the main verb.
subject + modal + adverb + main verb
You should always wear a helmet.
I can sometimes hear my neighbour’s TV.
Positive
I always take the bus into town.
Jenny is often late for work.
Negative
The adverb of frequency goes between the auxiliary and the main verb.
We don’t usually watch TV after lunch.
They can’t always wait for you.
It goes after ‘to be’.
I am not always this organised.
They aren’t usually late.
Question
For questions, the order is auxiliary + subject + adverb of frequency + verb.
Do you always eat here?
Does he usually do that?
Take note: negative adverbs
Negative adverbs such as never, seldom, rarely and hardly evercannot be used in negative sentences. The following sentence is incorrect, because it has a double negative.
WRONG: The weather isn’t never sunny.
CORRECT: The weather is never sunny.
Take note: sometimes
Sometimes can go before the subject, before the main verb, and after the main verb.
Sometimes we go fishing.
We sometimes go fishing.
We go fishing sometimes.
Take note: adverbs of frequency and the present continuous
We usually use adverbs of frequency with the present simple, but they can also be used with the present continuous. The adverb comes between the auxiliary and the main verb.
She’s always losing her phone.
3.vocabulary
the tube
an informal name for the London Underground train system
commuting
travelling from home to work and back again
a folding bike
a bicycle that folds up so it can be carried easily
Oyster card
an electronic ticket that you can use on any train or bus within London
vox pops
audio or video clips of people talking about everyday topics
extreme commuters
people who spend a very long time travelling to work
stressful
making you feel worried or nervous
following
next: the ‘following day’ is the ‘next day’
lifestyle choice
a choice about how you live
income
money people receive, usually for working
productively
successfully; usefully
go about
(a sailing term) turn and sail in the opposite direction
steer
control the direction of movement of a vehicle such as a boat, car or bicycle
navigate
find a route across an area of land or water, often using a map
satnav
short for ‘satellite navigation’: a piece of technology that uses satellites to find the best way to get to a place
on course
going in the right direction