Habitual actions,used to,would
DESCRIBING HABITUAL ACTIONS&USED TO
1.Habitual actions in the present
a) The present simple
This is the usual way of expressing present habitual actions.
When I have money I go on a spending spree.
The present simple is also used for permanent situations.
My cousin who is very tall plays basketball.
b) tend to
The verb tend to +infinitive refers to usual or generally
occurring actions.
She tends to go to bed very early.
c) other ways of expressing habitual actions in the present.
-Present continuous +always
It is mainly used to express repeated actions which the speaker finds annoying or irritating .
You are always taking my clothes!
I’m always putting on weight after Christmas!
-Will +infinitive
This construction is sometimes used instead of the present simple to refer to behaviour which is typical of a particular person.
He’ll sit for hours playing computer games.
-Keep + - ing
Used to express accidental or annoying actions
I keep losing my glasses!
2. Habitual actions in the past
a) The past simple
When a past simple verb refers to habitual or repeated action it can be accompanied by an expression of frequency.
When I was a student t, I usually studied at nights.
b)Used to +infinitive
We use this expression to talk about past actions which no longer happen.
When I was a teenager I used to take dancing classes.
It can refer to the actions which didn’t happen in the past, but happen now
Some people say I spoil my children, but when I was a child my parents didn’t use to have money to buy me what I wanted.
We never used to go on holiday by plane.
Used to doesn’t need adverbs of frequency, although they are sometimes included for emphasis.
I always used to fight for my rights at school.
c)Would + infinitive
To express habitual past actions.
Avoid using would in questions and negative sentences. Its meaning can be completely different.
My grandmother was an actress and each time she could, she would take me at the backstage of the theatre.
d)The difference between used to and would
Used to refers to permanent situation and habitual actions as well.
When I was a child I used to be very naughty
Would can only refer to actions,not situations.
You can say :I’d catch the 7.45 train to London
You can’t say: I’d be very beautiful when I was young.
USED TO
a)used to +infinitive
Habitual past actions(go to 2b)
b)to be used to+ -ing
This means to be accustomed to
I am used to getting up early in the morning
c)to get used to+ -ing
This means to become accustomed to , often to something strange and unusual
If you become famous ,you will have to get used to talking in public..
TEST
