Some theory about routines

Habits and Routines

We also use this tense to describe actions that happen frequently. For example: habits, routines, tendencies.

• We leave for work at 7:30 AM every morning. Routine
• My husband watches the TV in the evening. Habit, Routine
• Susan often meets with her friends after school. Habit, Routine
• They usually play football on Sunday. Habit, Routine
• Mark rarely visits his sick grandmother. Tendency
• Pinocchio usually tells lies. Tendency

Adverbs of Frequency

The Present Simple is often used with the frequency adverbs:

• always
• frequently/often
• usually
• seldom/rarely
• nowadays
• never
• every week/year
• sometimes/occasionally
• from time to time
• every now and then

A few examples how to use them in sentences:

• I always go to church on Sundays.
• I never eat anything after 10 PM

Sequencers.

One of the most important ways to link ideas is to sequence them. Sequencing refers to the order in which events happened. These are some of the most common ways to sequence in writing or speaking:

Beginning:

Firstly,
First of all,
To start off with,
Initially, 

Continuing:

Then,
After that,
Next,
As soon as / When + full clause,
... but then
Immediately, 

Ending:

Finally,
In the end,
Eventually,
Lastly,

Can and can’t for ability.

When we talk about ability, we mean two things.

First, we mean general ability. This is something that once you have learned you can do any time you want, like being able to read or swim or speak a language, for example.

The other kind of ability is specific ability. This means something that you can or can't do in one particular situation. For example, being able to lift something heavy, or find somewhere you are looking for.

Present:

can / can’t (for both general and specific ability)

• I can play the piano.
• She can speak English.
• He can’t drive – he’s too tired.
• We can’t come now.

HOW OFTEN?

• A: How often do you work out*?
• B: Every day.

*work out = physical exercise, especially in a gym or fitness club, but also can include any exercise. "I had a great workout at the swimming pool this morning."

How often = questions can be answered in many ways.

• Every day (second, minute, hour, day, week, month, year, decade, etc.)
• Every second day
• Every week
• Every month
• Every six months
• Every year

• Once a day (a second, a minute, an hours, a week/a month/a year, etc.)
• Twice a day
• Three times a day
• Four times a day

In descending order of frequency

• Always/Constantly
• Usually/Often
• Frequently
• Normally
• Sometimes
• Occasionally
• From time to time
• Never

• Most of the time
• Most weekdays
• Most evenings
• Most Mondays

About or around is used if you don't want to be exact, or can't give an exact number.

• How often do you go skiing?
• About 6 times a year

• How often do you go shopping?
• Around twice a week.