Home Preparations for the winter When used to a would. About English with love. Used to rule in interrogative and negative sentences

Preparations for the winter

When used to a would. About English with love. Used to rule in interrogative and negative sentences

The path of the English language throughout history has always been thorny.

Since the reign of the British Empire, it has become widespread and has become available for development by ordinary people in many countries.

Now English has its own structured learning system, like any other language of civilized countries. And always along with the rules there are exceptions that give the language a certain flexibility.

One of these exceptions will now be discussed.

Turnaround "Used to" as a verb (Verb)

This turnover indicates what happened regularly in the past, but does not happen now. For example, it could be some habits, states, or repetitive routine actions:

I used to train every day when I was in the team - I trained every day when I was on the team. (I had a habit)
She used to live in Manchester - She used to live in Manchester. (condition)
Every day she used to say him, "Good morning, my dear" - Every day she told him: " Good morning, dear". (routine action)

Turnaround "Used to" as an adjective (Adjective)

In its own way, used to can act as an adjective and literally translate as “used to”:

His neighbors made noise every weekend. But he's used to it - His neighbors were noisy every weekend. But he's used to it.
They lived nightlife and are used to it - They lived the nightlife and got used to it.

Turnaround "Used to" in negative and interrogative forms

Obviously, I want to say that often when compiling such forms, English speakers use the simple Past Simple, without the “used to” turnover. But at the same time, offers sometimes slip through with this turnover.

The negative form (Negative) is formed in 2 ways:

1. Using the auxiliary verb did and the particle not:

didn't + use to + infinitive

He didn't use to like me, but then he changed his mind - He didn't like me, but then he changed his mind
I'm surprised that they joined the hockey club. I remembered they didn't use to like hockey - I'm surprised they joined the hockey club. I remember they didn't like hockey.

In most cases, we can use never instead of didn't:

He didn't use to work so much
He never used to work so much

2. With the verb to be and the particle not:

to be + not + used to

He's not used to the new order - He's not used to new orders.
I'm not used to her - I'm not used to her.

Interrogative form (Question).

Did + subject + use to + infinitive … ?

Did you use to travel a lot before you get this job? - (Have you ever travelled?)
Did you use to spend hours in front of the mirror when you were young?

Also "used to" can always be combined with special questions:

Where did he use to spend time at nights? Where does he like to spend his time at night?
What did you use to relax when you were a teenager? How did you usually relax when you were a teenager?

"Used to" and "would"

In some cases, we can replace used to with would if we are talking exclusively about habits:

I used to get up early when I've worked in the police
I would get up early when I've worked in the police

"Get used to"

A similar turnover shows the process of getting used to something and can be used at any time:

We got used to live here yet - We are already used to living here
Well I am getting used to tropical climate - Well, I'm already getting used to the tropical climate
I think that I will get used to new homeland - I think I'll get used to the new home

"Be used to + gerund"

Unlike “used to + verb”, which indicated habits that were acquired in the past and remained there, this turnover indicates habits that were acquired in the past and are active now:

I'm used to working at night. (I used to work at night)
I used to work at night. (I used to work at night, but now I don't work)

In conclusion, I would like to mention one nuance. Sometimes people seem to say "use to" instead of "used to". This is all due to the fact that when used to is said, the extreme “d” is pronounced like t, and the next word “to” begins with the same sound. Therefore, it is heard as one t. When speaking, we often pronounce words quickly, which is why they stick together.

We also recommend watching this short video tutorial from our friend James

We have already studied how the phrase “used to” differs from “to be used to”: the first means a past habit that no longer exists (= I had a habit), and the second is used to describe existing habits (= I got used to it). Let's now look at other constructions, in particular, find out how "used to" differs from "would".

"Used to" and "would" are used to describe past habits, but there are nuances here too. If you suddenly do not understand the intricacies of use (even after reading all the material), do not despair!

Cases of using "used to":

Used to + Verb (infinitive) - as an alternative to using the Past Simple tense when it comes to frequently repeated actions in the past or about the past state.

I used to be a fat girl - I was fat. (=state)

They used to walk to the harbor every morning and watch the fishermen - Every morning they went to the harbor to watch the fishermen.

Used to + Verb (infinitive) - when it comes to a state or situation that has changed, i.e. when there is something to compare.

When my sister was a child, she didn't use to look at all like my father, but the older she gets the more she looks like him - When my sister was a child, she didn't look like her father at all, but with age she more and more like him.

Used to + stative verb * (infinitive) - unlike would, it can be used with static (i.e., with state verbs).

*Stative verb - these are verbs that convey feelings, mental processes, relationships, etc.; these are the very verbs that cannot be used in the tenses of the Continuous group. Here are some of them: love, feel, remember, forget, hear, care for, respect, wish, belong, expect.

I used to love him - I used to love him.

Used to - unlike "would" can be used in both negative and interrogative sentences.

Did you use to do snowmen when you were a child? Did you make snowmen as a child?

I didn't use to chat a lot - I didn't have a habit of talking a lot.

Get + used to - denotes the process of getting used to; can be used at any time.

I'm getting used to wake up early - I get used to getting up early.

He got used to have only coffee for breakfast - He is used to having only coffee for breakfast.

I think that she will get used to new school - I think he will get used to the new school.

Use cases for "would":

When it's purely about habits, "would" is more common in formal speech.

They would get up early when they have worked in the hospital - They used to get up early when they worked in the hospital.

Remember that "would" cannot be used together with static verbs, as well as in interrogative and negative sentences! In such cases, instead of "would" they use "used to".

NOT: He would have much longer hair when he was younger - He used to have much longer hair.

NB! Remember that the use of "used to" and "would" can carry an additional meaning: we remember something with nostalgia or regret.

If we are talking about some annoying and unpleasant habits, then it would be more competent to use always + Past Continuous.

When she was a teenager, her school friends were always teasing her because of her red hair - When she was a teenager, school friends teased her because of her red hair.

We suggest that you complete the task to consolidate the studied material.

Today we are going to talk about habits. In English, there are many grammatical constructions, thanks to which we can indicate not only the time of this or that action, but also give different shades to what has been said, for example, express our attitude to the event.

In this article, we will talk about how we can talk about habits and express our attitude towards them using constructions. Would and Used to.

used to

It is used when we talk about actions that were familiar to us in the past, but do not take place in the present. That is, we did something before, but now we have stopped. For example, if you used to smoke but quit, you might say:
— I used to smoke.
You can add that you have already quit (but I gave up this habit), but there is no need for this, since the construction “used to” already shows that the action is in the past and has nothing to do with present.

Or, for example, as a child you drank a lot of soda, but now you have stopped, then you can say:
— I used to drink fizzy water, when I was a child.

Also, this construction can be used with the verb “to be”, for example:
— He used to be a slob, but now he's the neatest person I know. He used to be a slob, but now he's the neatest person I know.

In interrogative and negative sentences, this construction is rarely used, they usually use the simple past tense (Past Simple), but, nevertheless, it is used from time to time.
Interrogative sentences are built using the auxiliary verb “did”, which is placed at the beginning of the sentence, while the verb “use” is used in the first form:

Did you use to eat junk food? – Did you have a habit of eating fatty foods (fast food)?

Negation is constructed in the same way:
- No, I didn't use to eat junk food. – No, I didn’t have a habit of eating fatty foods.
(fast food).

You can also sometimes find the following form of negative sentences:
— I used not to eat junk food.

Special attention should be paid to pronunciation:
“used to” is not pronounced as two separate words, they seem to merge into one, the ending “d” falls out during pronunciation, it turns out that we pronounce “used to” like.

Would + V1

The construction “Would + verb in the first form” is also used when we are talking about an action that was familiar to us in the past. However, the difference between these two grammatical constructions is that the second one is more often used when we are nostalgic for the old days.

- When I was a child I would go to the cinema with my father every weekend - when I was little, I went to the cinema with my father every weekend.

In this sentence, we emphasize that we miss those times. We can replace "Would + V1" with "Used to" if we don't care about that tinge of nostalgia. However, it is not always possible to replace “Used to” with “Would”, since the first construction is used in cases where the action took place regularly, constantly; the second can be used when we are talking about an action that was repeated from time to time. In Russian, we would use the word "happened" in such cases:
— After walking in the park my brother and I would buy a portion of ice cream, that ice-cream was the best in the World! - after a walk in the park, my brother and I used to buy ice cream each, that ice cream was the best in the world!

To be used to

This design literally translates as "to be accustomed to something." After it, either a noun or a verb with the addition of the ending "ing" is always used. For example:
— Don't you want to buy a new phone?
— No, I don't. I'm used to mine.

— Do you want to buy a new phone?
No, I'm used to mine.

— I'm used to drinking coffee every morning. I am used to drinking coffee every morning.

To get used to

This construction means "to get used to something". As in the previous case, a noun or a verb with the ending "ing" is used after it. For example:

- He's getting used to waking up so early - He gets used to waking up so early.
That is, he used to get up late, but now he has to get used to waking up early.

- I guess I can get used to using this new program - I think I can get used to using this new program.

For those who study English, it can be difficult to master the “used to, be / get used to” rule. Many people simply confuse similar-sounding constructions. To use these phrases correctly, you need to understand what they mean.

past habits

Expression usedto denotes actions that often happened in the past, but no longer occur now. Usually the construction is translated as "before", "once".

I used to go for a walk every morning. unfortunately,Ihavenotimenow. - I used to go for a walk every morning. Unfortunately, I don't have time for that right now.

He used to be a shop assistant. Nowisamillionaire. - Once he was a salesman, and now he is a millionaire.

In this case, we are only talking about past habits, so the verb cannot be used in the present tense. In other words, you can't say "use to". The rules of use require the verb to be put in the Past Simple. If you need to talk about the habits that exist at the moment, use the Present Simple.

I used to eat bananas for breakfast. - BeforeIateon thebreakfastbananas.

Iusuallyeatbananasforbreakfast. I usually eat bananas for breakfast.

Please note: after the particle to is always infinitive. Other forms of the verb are not allowed here.

My sister used to be a naughty child. - Mysisterwasnaughtychild.

Let's continue with the rule. usedto used not only in affirmative sentences. We can safely construct a negative or interrogative sentence.

In the question, the first place is given did, followed by the subject and use to. The past tense is taken over by the auxiliary verb, so the initial form should be used useto.

Didsheusetowakeupearlywhenshewenttoschool? Did she have a habit of getting up early when she went to school?

Did they use to spend vacation together? - Beforetheycarried outtogethervacation?

In negative sentences, a particle is added to the auxiliary verb not, a useto also put in the initial form.

I didn't use to smoke when I was a schoolboy. - Inotsmoked, whenwentinschool.

Shedidn'ttusetoplaygolf. She hasn't played golf before.

Used to or would?

When it comes to past habits, sometimes another expression is used - would.

Kate would go to a swimming pool once a week. - BeforeKatewentinswimming poolonceinweek.

Remember the important rule: usedto can indicate both an action and a state.

Action: Myparentsdidn'ttusetogotoagym. - My parents never went to the gym before.

State: John didn'tusetoloveRockmusic. - Once upon a time, John did not like rock music.

Would indicates only a repeated action in the past. It is not used to describe a state.

My friend used to go shopping every weekend. Myfriendwouldgoshoppingeveryweekend. My friend used to go shopping every weekend.

But you can't say: John would love rock music. This proposal should use usedto.

Would can also describe actions that happened from time to time (often with an element of nostalgia). A good translation in this case is the word "used."

InmychildhoodIwouldgoforapicnicalmosteveryweekend. - As a child, I used to go to a picnic almost every weekend.

If you don't specify the regularity of the action, use usedto, not would.

Whenhewasachildheusedtowakeuplate. - He woke up late when he was a child (general, no regularity indicated).

Whenhewasachild,hewouldwakeuplateatweekends. - When he was a child, he woke up late on weekends (it is indicated how often the action was performed).

have a habit of doing something

Let's look at another rule. used to often confused with to be used to. However, they have completely different meanings. Expression tobeusedto means "to have the habit of doing something", and it can be replaced by a synonymous construction tobeaccustomedto. Previously, a person did not do this, but now his way of life has changed.

Heisusedtogettingupat 9am. - He used to get up at 9 am (he didn't do that before).

Since we are talking about a habit that a person has at the moment, the verb tobe logical to put in the present tense. For past habits, use the expression we already know usedto/didn"t use to. Compare:

My brother didn't use to eat healthy food. - Mybrotherbeforenotateusefulfood.

Now he is used to eating healthy food. - Nowheused tothere isusefulfood.

Don't forget to put a particle to- there is no expression useddoing. The rule also requires the use of the gerund, not the infinitive.

Jesse is used to making his bed in the morning. - Jessieused tocoverbedonin the morning.

I am used to go to school on my foot. - Iused towalkinschoolon foot.

get used to something

Phrase togetusedto very close in value to the previous design. But there is a certain shade of meaning - “to get used to”, “to master”, “to adapt”. In this case, the synonymic construction would be tobecomeaccustomedto.

It is difficult to get used to a new climate. - TOnewclimatedifficultadapt.

Here we are talking about a habit that is just beginning to form.

He is getting used to doing the laundry twice a week. - Heaccustomsmyselfwashclothestwiceperweek.

After the particle to you should also put a gerund.

TheyaregettingusedtospeakingChinese. They are getting used to speaking Chinese.

What grammatical tense should be used getusedto? The rule allows you to use any tense that makes sense.

Ittookhersometimetogetusedtonewtraditions. - It took some time before she got used to the new traditions.

In a few weeks you will get used to the local cuisine. - Throughcoupleweeksyouget used totolocalkitchen.

Exercises

We have discussed in detail the use usedto/beusedto/getusedto. The rule separates these constructions in meaning and grammatically. Practice using them in practice. Insert the appropriate words into the text. Be sure to select the correct time.

Jane -- smoke a lot. Then she quit it. Jen used to smoke a lot. But then she quit smoking.
I see you -_ new rules. Keep it up! I see you are getting used to the new rules. Keep it up!
How long did it take him to _ living in the suburbs? How long did it take him to get used to life in the suburbs?
You_be very hardworking. You have become a lazybones! - You were so hardworking. You have become lazy!
We _ speaking two languages. We are used to speaking two languages.
He _ coming in time. He taught himself to be on time.
I _ drinking tea. Coffee is bad for my health. - I've got into the habit of drinking tea. Coffee is bad for me.
Why don't you _ putting fewer spices in your food. I can't eat it! - Why don't you train yourself to put less spices in your food! I can't eat it!
I _ sweeping the floor every day. - I used to sweep the floor every day.
I_his pronunciation. Does anyone understand what he says? - I can't get used to his pronunciation. Does anyone even understand what he's saying?
Monika _ be a doctor, but she has already retired. Monika used to be a doctor. But she is already retired.
We _ be friends. Then something went wrong. - We were friends. But then something went wrong.

Please explain in which cases "used to" should be used, and in which - "would". I would be very grateful if you could explain this with examples.

Answer

Hi Wojtek. Good question - a lot of students have trouble with the difference between " used to"and" would".

Hello Wojtek. Good question - many students have trouble understanding the difference between " used to" and " would".

We use both of these to talk about things in the past which we don "t do now or are not happening now. Sometimes both "used to" and "would" are OK in one sentence - sometimes only "used to".

We use both of these words when we talk about things we did in the past but no longer do now, or things that happened in the past but don't happen now. In some cases, in the same sentence can be used as " used to", so and " would", and in other cases - only " used to".

Let "s start with some examples of "used to" first. We might say,

Let's first look at examples where "used to" is used. We could say:

"I used to

"When he was at school, he used to

"She used to hate her job until she got a promotion."
"She hated her job until she got promoted."

All of these sentences describe actions or situations in the past, which are finished now; living in Manchester, playing football every Saturday, hating her job - these are all finished now.

All of these sentences describe actions or situations that have happened in the past and ended by now: lived in Manchester, played football every Saturday, hated my job - it's all over now.

We use "used to" to talk about actions or situations that continued for some time in the past, not for events which happened suddenly or just for a moment. So we can"t say: "I used to have a really good idea when I was brushing my teeth this morning," because "having a really good idea" happens suddenly - in one moment.

We use " used to" when we are talking about actions or situations that lasted for some time in the past, and not about events that happened suddenly, at one moment. Therefore, we cannot say: "I used to have a really good idea when I was brushing my teeth this morning = I had a really good idea when I was brushing my teeth this morning, because "having a really good idea = having a really good idea" is an action that happens suddenly, in an instant.

Now let's move on to "would". Here are some examples:

"When he was at university, he would sleep until noon at the weekends."
"When he was at university, he slept until noon on weekends."

"My sister lived in Australia for many years, but she would always come home for Christmas."
"My sister lived in Australia for many years, but she always came home for Christmas."

"I would always forget my homework, until the teacher threatened to punish me."
"I always forgot my homework until the teacher threatened to punish me."

Again, these sentences are about situations in the past, which are finished. However, it "s important to notice that all the sentences, here, are about actions or situations which were repeated again and again and again. Sleeping until noon at the weekends, coming home for Christmas, forgetting my homework - all these things were repeated many times, again and again and again.

In these sentences, we are again talking about situations in the past that have ended. However, it is important to note that the actions or situations in these sentences were repeatedly repeated over and over and over again. Sleeping until noon on the weekends, coming home for Christmas, forgetting homework - all this was repeated many times, again and again and again.

This is the difference between "would" and "used to" - we only use actions "would" to describe or situations that were repeated again and again and again... But we use "used to" for any extended action or situation in the past.

This is the difference between "would" and "used to" - " would"we use only when we describe actions or situations that have been repeated over and over and over again ... A" used to" we use to describe any long-term action or situation in the past.

"Would" is only good for actions or situations that were repeated many times; "used to" is good for any action or situation that continued for a period of time in the past, including repeated actions or situations.

"Would" is the correct word only for actions or situations that have been repeated many times; " used to" is suitable for any action or situation that continued for a certain period of time in the past, including repetitive actions or situations.

To make this clearer, let "s look at the three examples of "used to" sentences, and see if we can change them into "would" sentences.

To clarify what has been said, let's look at three examples with "used to" and find out if it is possible to change "used to" to "would" in these sentences.

Here's the first example again:

Let's take another look at the first example:

"I used to live in Manchester, but I moved to London last year."
"I used to live in Manchester but moved to London last year."

Can we use "would" instead of "used to" here? No, we can't, because "living in Manchester" wasn't repeated again and again and again. It "s simply a situation in the past. Therefore, only "used to" is good in this sentence.

Can we use "would" instead of "used to" here? No, we can't because "lived in Manchester" is a situation that hasn't happened over and over again. It's just a situation in the past. So only " used to".

The second example again:

Now the second example: