Today we will look at two past tense constructions used to denote actions that we did before, but then stopped (for no reason): Used to/Would. Sometimes both of these constructions have the right to be used in a particular situation, but each of them has a clear purpose and rules of use. Let's start with examples.
Used to
- "I used to live in Manchester, but I moved to London last year."— I used to live in Manchester, but last year I moved to London.
- "When he was at school, he used to eat lots of junk food"— As a schoolboy (when he was at school), he ate a huge amount of fast food.
Both of these examples are about completed actions (events) that occur in the past and do not take place in the present.
So: 'used to' — actions,which have been going on for some time in the past(not for momentary events) and do not occur in the present.
One of the meanings of the construction ‘used to’ is to have a habit. In this case, a habit in the past (he is used to living in Manester or eating fast food). This construction is also used for states in the past with a verb to be:
- he used to be very shy, but now he’s the most easy’-going person I know. — Earlier he was very shy, but now he is the most open person I know.
Would.
The design is like this Would+V1
Example:
- "Every morning we would leap out of bed, run down to the beach.- Every morning we jumped out of bed and ran to the beach.
- After dinner we all would sit in the drawing room and chat.— After dinner we used to sit in the living room and chat.
THAT. Would used for repeated actions in the past that took place again and again. And in memories with a touch of nostalgia for the past, which I would so like to return. This “happened” is what gives it that very shade.
When I didn’t have my own blog yet, I used to have such a wonderful time painting my nails for two hours, drinking tea or knitting. And now, here we have to work...
Enjoy your memories!
VeronicaWhat if you want to talk about past habits or daily routine (something that you constantly did in the past, but for some reason abandoned), then you can use the used to phrase. I will reveal the rules for its use and meaning in this article.
This comes from my graduate school adviser. Whenever I would take a paper to him, he would find out something I had repeated, or something I had missed out. He used to tell me “Say everything, but say it only once.”
Used to. Routine and habits
A very common phrase in English. The sentence describes events that:
- happened regularly, constantly in the past: habits, daily routine, condition characteristic of that time;
- are NOT happening now(in no way).
In this way, the contrast between the past and the present is emphasized: life changes. Therefore, the phrase used to is often translated as - before.
The construction occurs only in the past tense ( Past Simple). Not used:
- present ( Present Simple), future (Future Simple) or long-term (Continuous);
- when talking about the recent past (for example, yesterday): Yesterday I used to play basketball
Scheme: Subject (I, You, He, She, It ...) + used to + verb + object.
They used to cook cakes every weekend. “They used to bake pies every weekend.”
I used to play football when I was young. – When I was young, I played football.
He used to dance a lot but now he is too busy at work. – He used to dance a lot, but now he is too busy at work.
It can express not only an action, but also a state:
She used to be very shy. – She used to be very shy.
Used to. Denial and question
Formed according to simple past tense schemes (Past Simple):
- the auxiliary verb did and the negative particle not are added;
- the ending -ed is removed.
Let's take a sentence and form negative and interrogative options based on it.
He used to read every day. – He used to read every day.
Negation
Scheme: Subject (I, You, He, She, It ...) + did not use / never used to + verb ( dictionary form) + addition.
He did not use to read every day. – He didn’t read every day before.
Question
Scheme: Did + subject (I, you, he, she, it ...) + use to + verb (dictionary form) + object?
Did he use to read every day? – Did he read every day before?
English subtitles are available in the video.
The phrase “used to”.
Would – substitute for used to
In English there is a substitute verb for used to – would.
Both verbs describe regular actions in the past, but only used to is suitable for all options: both actions and states. While would is only used with action verbs, not state verbs.
used to play with dolls.
When she was a little girl, she would play with dolls.
In both cases the translation is: When she was a little girl, she played with dolls.
Her suggestions are correct. But in the next example you cannot use would!
When he was a little boy, he used to be very thin. – As a little boy he was very thin.
Do you want stability, simplicity and not having to worry about choosing? Use the standard option, suitable for any occasion – used to.
Variations of the phrase “used to”
Be (am/is/are – was/were) used to
Translation: accustomed, accustomed.
Describes:
- fait accompli;
- a well-known, regularly repeated situation;
- a habit that you can either like or not (bad habit).
Used:
- with pronouns, nouns, verbs ending in -ing (gerund): these parts of speech can be placed after be used to.
I am used to eating in the morning. – I’m used to eating in the morning.
They are used to a heat – They are accustomed to the heat.
Be used to. Denial and question
It is formed in the same way as the basic “used to” structure - according to the following schemes:
Negation: by adding the negative particle “not”.
I am not used to reading a lot. – I’m not used to reading a lot.
Question: by moving the verb be forward.
Are you used to breaking the law? – Are you used to breaking the law?
Get used to
Translation: get used to, adapt, get used to; get used to it.
Describes an action (process) that may or may not happen:
- adaptation, adaptation to a new situation;
- formation of habits.
Used:
- with all tenses: Future, Present, Past (Simple);
- with pronouns, nouns, verbs ending in -ing (gerund): these parts of speech can be placed after get used to.
Design used to is always used in the past tense. It is not translated literally and means that something used to be common, but then it changed.
By using used to we can talk
- about habits and repeated actions in the past
When we were kids, we used to play snowballs. When we were children, we loved to play in the snow.
I used to get up early when I was young, but now I"m not a morning person at all. I was an early riser when I was younger, but now I'm not a morning person at all.
I used to drink a lot of coffee but now I mostly drink herbal tea. I used to drink a lot of coffee, but now I mostly drink herbal tea.
In this meaning you can also use would + infinitive.
Fanny, our cat, would meet me at the door every time I came home, just like a dog. Fanny, our cat, greeted me at the door every time I came home, just like a dog.
He would drive a hundred miles to taste his favorite burgers. He drove a hundred miles to eat his favorite burgers.
Whenever I felt sad, she would give me a hug and say something cheerful. Whenever I was sad, she would hug me and say something encouraging.
- about states and facts in the past
Lisa used to have long hair, but now she has a short haircut. Lisa used to have long hair, but now she has short hair.
Winters used to be very cold when I was a child, the climate has become much milder since that time. Winters were very cold when I was a child, but the climate has become much milder since then.
There used to be a factory in this building. A few years ago it was turned into an exhibition centre. This building used to be a factory. A few years ago it was turned into an exhibition center.
note
In this meaning used to it is forbidden replace with would.
Education used to + infinitive
Used to is always in the past tense. This construction is very rarely used in negative and interrogative sentences. However, in colloquial speech This happens sometimes. An auxiliary verb is used to form negatives and questions with used to did, as with other regular verbs in the past simple.
Use and used to
Used to should not be confused with the direct meaning of the verb use in past tense: used something to do something - used something in order to do something.
For example
He used a plastic card to tighten the screw. He used plastic card to tighten the screw.
She used vinegar to remove the stain. She used vinegar to remove the stain.
To be used to / to get used to
Don't confuse used to with a fixed expression to be used to something / to do something- to be accustomed to something, to consider something normal. Used can be followed by a noun or verb + -ing.
Compare to be used to and used to
I "m used to make decisions on the spot. I'm used to making decisions instantly.
I used to make decisions on the spot when I worked as a project manager. Previously, when I worked as a project manager, I made decisions on the fly.
I "m used to working on weekends. I'm used to working on weekends.
I used to work on weekends at my first job. I worked weekends at my first job.
Get used to something / to do something means to get used to something. This is exactly the same construction as be used to, only be is replaced with get. Get used to can be used in any time appropriate to the situation and with other verbs, for example, modal.
I 'm getting used to my new lifestyle. I'm getting used to a new way of life.
They got used to having her around. They got used to her presence.
Do you think you 'll ever get used to living abroad? Do you think you'll ever get used to living abroad?
You must have got used to this noise. You must be used to this noise.
The construction Used to is used very often in English. Its peculiarity is that it is always in the past tense, that is, in the Past Simple, because of this it is virtually impossible to make a mistake in its conjugation.
In addition, the construction Used to does not mean “to use”, but repeated actions, moreover, in the past. Today we will analyze this phrase piece by piece and find out where and under what conditions it can be used in speech.
To begin with, pay attention to examples of some sentences with this phrase:
- She usedtobe shy. — She used to be shy (Used to be shy).
- Tom used to - Tom is used to smoking
- Mary used to help her granny when she visited her. —MaryI'm used to itto helphisgrandma, Whenvisitedher.
The translation of this construction in sentences is based more on intuition than on accuracy. Agree, Used to in these sentences can be translated as “used to, often happened, often happened like this,” etc. And all because this construction means habitual recurring events in the past, but which no longer have a place to be in the present.
That is, we will translate these phrases: She used to be timid (but now she’s not). Tom used to smoke (not anymore).
If, speaking about these sentences, she would still be timid, or Tom would still smoke, then the construction Used to is no longer suitable. It will also not be suitable if the action happened only once - Tom smoked once. So, Used to is only used in events that were repeated in the past, but which no longer exist.
Let's summarize!
Let's summarize our rule and draw a conclusion.
The Used to construction is used when we are talking about actions that were repeated many times in the past, but now these actions no longer exist.
The Used to clause is not used if the action is still happening; if the action was one-time.
This phrase has three forms of formation: affirmative, negative and interrogative:
- Tomusedtosmoke. - Tom used to smoke (Tom had the habit of smoking)
- Tomdidn't"tusetosmoke. — Tom did not have the habit of smoking.
- DidTomusetosmoke? — Did Tom have a habit of smoking before?
There are three main points to pay attention to:
- The Used to construction does not change according to persons and numbers.
- Used to has no present or future tense, only events that are repeated in the past but no longer occur in the present.
- With this structure, action verbs and state verbs are used.
The Used to construction can be replaced by Would + infinitive, but this structure is only used with verbs that mean actions. For example:
- I wouldvisit my aunt every morning = I used to visit my aunt every morning. - EarlierIvisitedmyaunteachmorning.
State verbs cannot be used in this meaning: I would be shy. You can only: I used to be shy. (be is a state verb).
There are some phrases that differ from Used to, but they are often confused:
The construction Be used to means “to have the habit of doing something, to be accustomed to doing something.” This design is also used only in the Past Simple:
- My sister is used to getting up early. - MysisterI'm used to itget upearly.
- He is used to do his homework after school. - Heused to itdohomework after school.
- We are used to come on time. - Wegot used to itcomeduring.
Construction Get used to - get used to something, get used to doing something, gradually get used to it. This phrase is used in different tenses:
- The present: Tom is getting used to travel on his own. (Tom gets used to ittravelone).
- Past: My grandparents got used to living there.(My grandparents used to live there).Did you get used to eating Japanese food? (Youused to itThere isJapaneseI'm going?)
- Future: He will have to get used toworking every day, without weekends.(He will have to get used to working every day, seven days a week).
Let's summarize where and what structures we use:
- Construction Used to do smth - habitual actions in the past that no longer occur (or would+ infinitive (only with action verbs).
- Version Be used to doing smth - to have the habit of doing something.
- Construction Get used to doing smth - Get used to it.
You see, friends - nothing complicated! Good luck to you!
Here you can take a lesson on the topic: “Used to” in English and cases of its use. "Used to" and its Cases of Use.
Along with the Simple Past Tense, there are some phrases in English that also convey actions in the past. The most used and famous of them is turnover Used to. With the help of this turnover you can express almost all the same actions as in the Past Simple. The phrase used to is often used, and not only in colloquial, but also in literary speech.
The main function of the used to phrase is the expression of actions or events repeated in the past that were familiar then, but do not occur in the present. For example:
I used to collect stamps but I don"t any more. - I used to collect stamps / had the habit of collecting stamps, but I don’t do it anymore.
I. The phrase used to has its own characteristics of use and meaning.
1. First, let's get acquainted with shape turnover used to affirmative, negative and interrogative situations.
(+)
I used to - I had a habit
you used to - you had a habit / You had a habit
he used to - he had a habit
she - used to - she had a habit
it used to - he/she had/had a habit (inanimate)
we used to - we had a habit
they used to - they had a habit
(-)
I didn't use to - I didn't have the habit
you din"t use to - you didn’t have the habit / You didn’t have the habit
he didn't use to - he didn't have the habit
she didn't use to - she didn't have the habit
it didn't use to - he/she didn't/had the habit (inanimate)
we didn't use to - we didn't have the habit
they didn't use to - they didn't have the habit
(?)
Did I use to..? - Did I have a habit...?
Did you use to..? - Did you have the habit / Did you have the habit of..?
Did he use to..? - Did he have the habit of...?
Did she use to..? - Did she have the habit of...?
Did it use to..? - Did/Did he/she have the habit of..?
Did we use to..? - Did we have the habit...?
Did they use to..? - Did you have the habit of..?
As can be seen from the conjugation, the turnover used to does not change according to faces or numbers, and has no abbreviations. Negative and interrogative form are formed with the help auxiliary verb did , which takes on the role of the past tense. For this reason, the phrase used to loses its usual ending -ed/d.
The phrase has no form of present and future tense. Special attention should be addressed phonetic side turnover. Since the voiced and voiceless consonant d and t stand together, the sounds merge - /"ju:ztə/.
2. In sentences after turnover used to, as a rule, the usual infinitives follow:
(+) He used to play tennis there. - He used to play tennis there./ He used to play tennis there.
(-) We didn’t use to attend the company meetings. - We were not in the habit of attending company meetings. / We had not attended company meetings before.
(?) Did they use to wake up early? - Did they have the habit of waking up early? / Did they wake up early before?
However, there are cases when used to is followed by nouns or gerunds. For example:
There used to be a school there. - There used to be a school there.
He was used to driving fast. - He was used to driving fast.
II. Concerning values turn used to, then it practically does not differ from the Past Simple tense. Let's look at a few usage cases:
1. First of all, used to describes actions and events that regularly occurred in the past, which later stopped. For example:
When I was a child me and my parents used to go to our country house - When I was a child, my parents and I had the habit of going to our country house.
I used to climb the trees when a child. - I used to climb trees when I was a child.
2. Unlike some other ways of expressing the past tense, turnover used to can express Not only dynamic action in the past, but also the state. For example:
He used to cycle to his work. - He had a habit of getting to work by bicycle. (dynamic action)
People used to think that the earth was flat. - People used to think that the earth was flat. (state)
To express habitual actions in the past, there is also the phrase would + infinitive. However, this phrase cannot describe states in the past, like used to. Let's look at examples:
She would walk to the nearest station every day. - He had the habit of walking every day to the nearest station. (dynamic action)
There used to be an ancient monastery there. - There used to be an ancient monastery here. (state)
3. There are also types of turnover used to, having slightly different forms and meanings. For example, be used to or get used to.
The phrase be used to also denotes habitual actions, however, due to its flexible form, it can be used both in the past and in the present tense. For example:
I was used to typing fast. - I was used to typing quickly. (Past Simple)
He is used to the city life. - He is accustomed to city life. (Present Simple)
The phrase get used to means “to acquire a habit,” and can be used in the past, present and future time. For example:
She got used to the cold climate. - She is used to the cold climate. (Past Simple)
I"m gradually getting used to it. - I’m gradually getting used to it. (Present Continuous)
They will get used to each other. - They will get used to each other. (Future Simple)
The phrase used to and its variants can often occur in the statements of famous people. For example:
Nothing is wonderful when you get used to it. (Edgar Watson Howe) - Nothing makes you happy when it becomes familiar. (Edgar Watson Howe)
I used to be indecisive, but now I"m not sure. (unknown) - I was indecisive, but now I’m not sure. (author unknown)
Pessimism, when you get used to it, is just as agreeable as optimism. (Arnold Bennett) - Pessimism, when it becomes habitual, is just as acceptable as optimism. (Arnold Bennett)
When I was young, I used to think that wealth and power would bring me happiness. I was right. (Gahan Wilson) - When I was young, I thought that wealth and power would make me happy. I was right. (Guyan Wilson)
The trouble with our times is that the future is not what it used to be. (Paul Valery) - The main problem of our time is that the future no longer looks the same as it looked before. (Paul Valery)
Thus, we examined the phrase used to, its form and meaning in sentences, some features of use, as well as possible synonymous phrases. In order to reinforce the lesson, remember what habits you had in the past that no longer exist now, and try to express them in English using the phrase used to.
This concludes the lessons. You and I have done a great job, if you studied everything diligently, you will have received the minimum knowledge in learning English, the foundation that will be necessary in further study of the language. Now you can continue studying in our other lessons,
