4 phrases · A1 · A2

What you usually do in English

Every phrase below is a fixed shape you can fill in and use immediately, ordered from the simplest to the most advanced. Each one carries what it means in English and in Hindi, three examples that vary the slot, and the situations it actually gets said in.

The phrases

Simplest first. The braces mark the part you change.

  • I usually {VERB}

    A1

    Say what you normally do.

    मैं आम तौर पर ___ करता/करती हूँ।

    • I usually wake up at six.
    • I usually take the bus to work.
    • I usually eat at home.

    As a question: What do you usually do at the weekend?

    In the negative: I usually don't work on Sundays.

    Anywhere · say it as: I usually / wake up at six · used everyday life, at work

  • I tend to {VERB}

    A2

    Say what you generally do — your usual way, not a rule.

    मैं आम तौर पर ___ करता/करती हूँ।

    • I tend to wake up early.
    • I tend to overthink things.
    • I tend to avoid crowded places.

    As a question: Do you tend to work better at night?

    In the negative: I tend not to eat late.

    Anywhere · say it as: I tend to / wake up early · used interviews, at work

  • I hardly ever {VERB}

    A2

    Say you almost never do something.

    मैं शायद ही कभी ___ करता/करती हूँ।

    • I hardly ever watch television.
    • I hardly ever eat out.
    • I hardly ever take leave.

    Anywhere · say it as: I hardly ever / eat out · used everyday life, at work

  • Every time I {VERB}, {CLAUSE}

    A2

    Point at something that happens without fail.

    जब भी मैं ___ करता/करती हूँ, ___।

    • Every time I call, the line is busy.
    • Every time I try, it fails.
    • Every time I open it, the app crashes.

    Anywhere · say it as: Every time I call, / the line is busy · used at work, everyday life

What goes wrong

The versions that get said instead, and why they land differently.

Commonly saidCorrect English

I am usually waking up at six.

I usually wake up at six.

A habit takes the plain present, not -ing.

I hardly ever don't eat out.

I hardly ever eat out.

"Hardly ever" is already negative. Adding "don't" reverses your meaning.

Where you will need these

The same phrases, sorted by the room you are standing in.

More phrase groups on the phrases index, or browse by situation on the speaking pages.

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