English grammar
Always / never: where they go
Describe your qualities for a job interview.
From the scene I'm never late
In short
Put always and never after am, is, are, but before other verbs: I'm never late, I always work hard.
Your turn
Which one goes with always + other verb?
Options: I always work hard (not "I work always") · I'm never late (not "I never am late") · I'm always punctual
Show answer
always + other verb → I always work hard (not "I work always")
How it works
Always and never go AFTER am / is / are (I'm never late, I'm always punctual) but BEFORE other verbs (I always work hard) — not "I never am late" or "I work always hard".
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Yes, I'm very (blank). And I speak two languages.
Options: organised · organise · organisated
Show answer
Yes, I'm very organised. And I speak two languages.
Sí, soy muy organizada. Y hablo dos idiomas.
Good to know
Adjectives never change for a woman or for plurals: she's organised, they're organised.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
(blank) you responsible?
Options: Is · Do · Are
Show answer
Are you responsible?
¿Es usted responsable?
never + be I'm never late (not "I never am late")
Nuria
Yes, I'm always punctual. I'm never late.
Sí, siempre soy puntual. Nunca llego tarde.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Yes, I'm always punctual. (blank).
Options: I always work hard · I'm organised · I'm never late
Show answer
Nuria
Yes, I'm always punctual. I'm never late.
Sí, siempre soy puntual. Nunca llego tarde.
always + other verb I always work hard (not "I work always")
Nuria
Yes, I'm very responsible and I always work hard.
Sí, soy muy responsable y siempre trabajo mucho.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Yes, I'm very responsible and (blank).
Options: I always work hard · I'm never late · I'm always punctual
Show answer
Nuria
Yes, I'm very responsible and I always work hard.
Sí, soy muy responsable y siempre trabajo mucho.
always + be I'm always punctual
Nuria
Yes, I'm always punctual. I'm never late.
Sí, siempre soy puntual. Nunca llego tarde.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Yes, (blank). I'm never late.
Options: I always work hard · I'm organised · I'm always punctual
Show answer
Nuria
Yes, I'm always punctual. I'm never late.
Sí, siempre soy puntual. Nunca llego tarde.
same for men and women I'm organised (same for a man)
Your turn
What goes with I'm organised (same for a man)?
Options: same for men and women · never + be · always + other verb
Show answer
I'm organised (same for a man) → same for men and women
always + be (a joke) I'm always grumpy
Ramón
Terribly. But that's because I'm always grumpy.
Fatal. Pero es que yo siempre estoy gruñón.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Terribly. But that's because (blank).
Options: I'm never late · I always work hard · I'm always grumpy
Show answer
Ramón
Terribly. But that's because I'm always grumpy.
Fatal. Pero es que yo siempre estoy gruñón.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| never + be | I'm never late (not "I never am late") |
|---|---|
| always + other verb | I always work hard (not "I work always") |
| always + be | I'm always punctual |
| same for men and women | I'm organised (same for a man) |
| always + be (a joke) | I'm always grumpy |
More lines from the story
- NuriaYes, I'm very organised. And I speak two languages.Sí, soy muy organizada. Y hablo dos idiomas.
- RamónAre you responsible?¿Es usted responsable?
- NuriaThank you, Don Ramón. How did I do?Gracias, Don Ramón. ¿Cómo lo he hecho?