How often

We use how often to ask about the frequency of the activities people do. This question word is only used in questions in the simple present.

Check the examples to learn more about this:

Leo´s shedule

How often does Leo go to the gym?

He goes to the gym every day.
or
He goes to the gym from Monday to Sunday.
or
He always go to the gym.

How often does Leo go to school?

He goes to school from Monday to Friday.
or
He goes to school five days a week.
or
He normally goes to school.

How often does Leo have English lessons?

He has English lessons on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
or
He has English lessons three days a week.
or
He sometimes has English lesson.

How often does Leo have dinner with his mom?

He has dinner with his mom once a week.
or
He has dinner with his mom on Mondays.

How often does Leo go to the movies with Andy?

He goes to the movies with Andy twice a week.
or
He goes to the movies with Andy on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
or
He occasionally goes to the movies with Andy.

How often does Leo go out with friends?

Leo goes out with friends on Fridays.
or
Leo goes out with friends once a week.
or
Leo seldom goes out with friends.

How often does Leo have lunch with his family?

He has lunch with his family on Saturdays and Sundays.
or
He has lunch with his family twice a week.
or
He has lunch with his family on weekends.
or
He always has lunch with his family on weekends.

Writing exercise

Put the words in the correct order to make questions.

Example:

does / Alan / have / often / How / a shower/ ?

How often does Alan have a shower?

1. George / have / at home / breakfast / often / How / does/ ?

How often does George have breakfast at home?

2. How /do / to the movies /go / you / often / ?

How often do you go to the movies?

3. often /your parents /do / go on vacation /How / ?

How often do your parents go on vacation?

4. often / How / Peter / hang out / does / with his friends / ?

How often does Peter hang out with his friends?

5. often / does / How / go to school / Sara / ?

How often does Sara go to school?

Milton is a famous young actor in Ireland. He has starred in several films and some series. In the following chart we share with you some of his activities and their frequency.

Milton
Writing exercise

Take a look at the chart above and answer the questions about Milton. Write complete sentences, check the example:

Example:

How often does Milton go swimming?

He usually goes swimming.

1. How often does Milton use Facebook?

He seldom uses Facebook.

2. How often does he upload photos on Instagram?

He sometimes uploads photos on Instagram.

3. How often does he surf the net?

He always surfs the net.

Look at the chart again and now complete the questions.

4. How at the shopping center?

often does he buy clothes

He hardly ever buys clothes at the shopping center.

5. in theaters?

How often does he act

He never acts in theaters.

6. late?

How often does he go to bed

He usually goes to bed late.


Meet Kenji and Yasu

Kenji and Yasu are Japanese teachers at an Asian Language Center in Mexico City. They have many things in common and they are very alike. Yasu comes from Japan and studies at UNAM. Kenji was born in Mexico, but his parents are from Japan. They have a student in common, her name is Guiomar. She’s a Mexican teenager. They say Guiomar is their favorite student, Guiomar says she has a crush on them.

Listening practice Writing exercise

Listen to Guiomar talking about Kenji and Yasu’s everyday activities. Complete the text with the word you hear.

Yasu Kenji
Yasu is thirty-two years old and he is very handsome. He is
never
a negative or pessimistic guy. He
sometimes
goes out with his students after class. . He
always
works on Saturdays at the Center because he studies from Monday to Friday. He
usually
has lunch with his girlfriend, he loves her a lot. He
rarely
goes to concerts with Kenji because he is
always
busy doing homework. He loves studying at UNAM. He
normally
gives Summer courses at the Center.

Kenji is my favorite teacher. His classes are always dynamic and fun. Kenji works a lot. He
often
wakes up very early and goes to work at the Center. He has another job. He is part of the staff that organizes concerts for musicians who come from China, Korea and Japan. He
never
sleeps on weekends. He
occasionally
goes out with his students. He
seldom
goes to the gym, but he
usually
does yoga. He
normally
gives Summer courses at the Center.

Drag and drop exercise

Look at the following chart. Match the phrases from the text to the most suitable Frequency Adverb according to the descriptions.

He is a negative guy.

He goes to concerts.

He goes to the gym.

Kenji goes out with his students.

Yasu goes out with his students.

He wakes up very early.

He gives Summer courses at the Center.

He has lunch with his girlfriend.

His classes are dynamic and fun.