Advanced aspects of expressing frequency 
26.04.2010
Knowing when, where and how to use adverbs of frequency is an advanced language skill. Find out if you know the rules by taking this short test.
Three of the sentences in this test contain errors. Can you spot them and correct them?
Note: you must use the correct punctuation, too. And don't add a space at the end of the sentence or it will be marked incorrect.
Interpunktion
Leerzeichen
COMMENTS
Dear Sir or Madam,
I would very much appreciate more tests like this one.
Best regards
Sigrid Schuster
Thank you for you feedback. We're always happy to hear what our readers think of our tests. We try to add a variety of types of exercises.
All the best
Deborah Capras
Dear Madam,
do you think that question 9 could be answered by using:
Sometimes I wish to have worked harder at school?
Thank you very much.
Best regards
Roland Schirrmacher
Your sentence wouldn't be correct.
We can use "I wish to do sth." to mean want, referring to the future, in a formal situation. You cannot use "to have done" to talk about an even in the past with "wish".
We use "wish" + past simple to express that we want a situation in the present (or future) to be different. (I wish I spoke Greek = I don't speak Greek but I would like to)
We use "wish" + past continuous to express that we want to be doing a different action in the present (or future). (I wish we were sailing in the Aegean sea right now = we're not sailing)
We use "wish" + past perfect to express a regret, or that we want a situation in the past to be different. (I wish I hadn't cancelled my holiday in Greece = I cancelled it).
I hope this explanation helps.
By the way, Business 6/2010 looks at this grammar topic in more detail — and there are more exercises on "wish" in Business Spotlight plus.
All the best
Deborah
Hi Deborah,
Can you explain why # 3 is correct.
"Always" is a signal word for Simple Present. We use this tense when we talk about habits and normal situations. When we change these, we use the present progressive.
# 3 is telling about "his" bad habit.
Thx.
Laura
You are correct to say that "always" is a signal word for using the present simple. However, defining words as signal words for one tense, doesn't mean that they can never be used with another verb form.
We use the present progressive with "always" if we want to criticize somebody or complain about something. It is an advanced use of "always".
"She's always listening to the radio in the office. I find it very distracting."
Compare with:
"She always listens to the radio in the office. That's why she knows the latest hits."
"He's always asking questions in meetings. That's why we never finish on time."
Compare with:
"He always asks questions in meetings, so make sure you come prepared."
I hope this is now clearer.
All the best
Deborah Capras