E-Concussion

Grammar Practice

Used to and Would

Which of these express a past action?
Which of these express a past state?
Write PA or PS next to each one.

1. People used to think that regular books would disappear.
2. We would get up, get dressed, and go to our work places.
3. My sister used to drive a small car. Now she drives an SUV.
4. People didn’t used to worry about wasting energy.
5. A few years ago, people wouldn’t stop talking about e-books.
6. Did she used to drive a large car?

1. PS
2. PA
3. PA
4. PS
5. PA
6. PA

Use both “used to” and “would” for repeated past actions.
Use “used to” only to talk about a past state (with be, have, like, hate…)

Would usually needs a time reference (every day, when I was a child). Used to is more common at the beginning of a narrative.
Use would in later sentences, especially to avoid repetition.

＊Make sentences with a similar meaning, using the correct form of used to.

1. When my brother was younger, he worked twelve hours every day.
When my brother way younger, he would/used to work twelve hours every day.

2. I hated sport when I was in school, but now I’m a big soccer fan.
I used to hate sport when I was in school, but now I’m a big soccer fan.

3. In the past, my boss drove her car to work every day, but now she uses public transportation.
In the past, my boss used to/would drive her car to work every day, but now she uses public transportation.

4. Telecommuting was not very popular years ago, but now many people work from home.
Telecommuting did not use to be very popular years ago, but now many people work from home.

5. Tania is a vegetarian now. She ate meat at least once a day when she was younger.
Tania is a vegetarian now. She used to/would eat meat at least once a day when she was younger.

6. Beto drives a hybrid car now. He had a regular car before.
Beto drives a hybrid car now. He used to have a regular car before.

7. When she was younger, Kim went to the beach every weekend.
When she was younger, Kim used to/would go to the beach every weekend.


Verbs + gerund:
He kept on running.
I don’t enjoy doing exercise.
Did you give up drinking soda?


Give up
Cut down on
Quit
Dislike
Practice
Learn
Enjoy
Get out of
Take up
keep on
stop


Verbs + infinitive:
You don’t need to have a cup of coffee.
Did he learn to control his temper?
I want to eat something.

decide want learn need promise