Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.

B2 Grammar • Medical English ⏱️ 12 Minutes

Frequency and Dosage Phrases

Master exact time expressions to describe medical routines, prescriptions, and pharmacy guidelines accurately.

📋 How to Use This Lesson

👩‍🏫 Teacher's Guide

1. Guide students through the 4 frequency rules in 3 minutes, focusing on the underlined phrases.
2. Have learners complete the 12 practice questions and check answers together using the explanations.

🎓 Learner's Guide

1. Read the 4 rule cards carefully first and notice how each phrase shows a specific timing pattern.
2. Complete all 12 practice items from top to bottom and review your score when finished.

A friendly pharmacist (chemist) wearing a crisp white coat inside a modern brightly lit pharmacy, handing a prescription

Context: Pharmacists use precise dosage expressions to instruct patients on taking medicine safely.

Grammar Rules

4 Core Patterns

Rule 1

Number + times + period

Use a number word with times and a period of time to state how often something happens. Say once for one time and twice for two times. Always put the time period last.

• Most customers visit the chemist three times a month to check product expiry dates.

• Patients collect their prescription refill twice a week from the local pharmacy.

• Most customers visit the shop three times a month.

Rule 2

Every + number + unit / Every other

Use every with a number and time unit for a fixed gap between events. Use every other for each second unit of time (one time yes, one time no).

• Take one painkiller every four hours if your severe headache returns.

• The staff restock the skin soothing ointment every other morning.

• The staff clean the shelves every other morning.

Rule 3

at least / no more than + frequency

Use at least for the smallest number allowed or needed. Use no more than for the largest number allowed. Both go before the frequency expression.

• Sucking a throat lozenge at least once a day helps ease your cough.

• Young children should take no more than two doses a day.

Rule 4

daily / weekly / monthly / on a regular basis

Use daily, weekly, or monthly as single words without "a" or "every". Use on a regular basis for a habit with no exact number.

• The chemist performs a weekly inventory check on all prescription medicine.

• Elderly patients order their capsule refills on a regular basis.

• Older customers collect their medicines on a regular basis.

Pattern in action: "The pharmacist told me to take this medicine three times daily."

Interactive Practice

Complete all 12 items testing frequency and dosage rules in pharmacy contexts.

Part 1: Choose the Correct Sentence

Which sentence correctly describes a patient's prescription routine?

____ a. The customer collects his prescription refill twice a week. ____ b. The customer collects his prescription refill a week twice. ____ c. The customer collects his prescription refill two times week.

Which sentence correctly describes restocking throat lozenges every second day?

____ a. The chemist orders new throat lozenges every two day. ____ b. The chemist orders new throat lozenges every other day. ____ c. The chemist orders new throat lozenges each other day.

Which sentence correctly uses a single-word repeating frequency?

____ a. The chemist dispenses painkillers on every weekly basis. ____ b. The chemist dispenses painkillers every weekly. ____ c. The chemist dispenses painkillers weekly.

Part 2: Rewrite the Sentences

Rewrite with a phrase for the number of times in a week:

"The chemist dispenses painkillers on Tuesday and on Friday."

The chemist dispenses painkillers ____ .

Rewrite with a phrase for a fixed gap between doses:

"Apply this soothing ointment at 8:00, 12:00, 16:00, and 20:00."

Apply this soothing ointment ____ .

Rewrite with a phrase for a habit with no exact number:

"The patient visits the chemist habitually without an exact count."

The patient visits the chemist ____ .

Part 3: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blank with the maximum dosage limit phrase:

To avoid feeling drowsy, take ____ two capsules a day. (maximum)

Fill in the missing single-word frequency term:

You can request a prescription refill at least ____ a month. (number)

Fill in the missing word for alternating days:

The staff check the expiry date on medicine bottles every ____ day. (gap)

Part 4: Correct the Error in Messages

Fix the frequency phrase error in this message:

💬 "Hi Sarah! The chemist told me to take one capsule three time a day, but I forgot the afternoon dosage."

Correct phrase: ____

Fix the dosage minimum phrase error in this message:

💬 "Hey Alex! Take your throat lozenge at most once a day, or it will not work well."

Correct phrase: ____

Fix the preposition error in the text:

💬 "Hello! My prescription says to take this painkiller in a regular basis."

Correct phrase: ____

Frequency and Dosage Phrases

Frequency and Dosage Phrases

📋 How to Use This Lesson

👩‍🏫 Teacher's Guide

🎓 Learner's Guide

Grammar Rules

Number + times + period

Every + number + unit / Every other

at least / no more than + frequency

daily / weekly / monthly / on a regular basis

Interactive Practice

Related lessons

IELTS Reading: WHO Essential Medicines List

IELTS Speaking: Pharmacies and Medicines

Pharmacies and Everyday Medicines

IELTS Writing Task 1: Pharmacies and Medicines

Passive Voice and Causative

Reported Speech and Reporting Verbs