Turnover Used to and its compound combinations. Usage of expressions Used to, be used to, get used to, difference between would Used to and would rule examples

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 usage rules require the verb to be placed in past simple. If it is necessary to say about the habits that exist on this moment, use 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 takes over the auxiliary verb, so you should use initial form 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, but 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 we are talking about old habits sometimes another expression is used - would.

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

Remember 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 are absolutely 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. - Nowis heused toeatusefulfood.

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. - Heaccustomsmyselfwashclothestwicebehindweek.

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. - Acrosscoupleweeksyouget 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.

1. Jane -- smoke a lot. Then she quit it. Jen used to smoke a lot. But then she quit smoking.
2. I see you -_ new rules. Keep it up! I see you are getting used to the new rules. Keep it up!
3. 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?
4. You_be very hardworking. You have become a lazybones! - You were so hardworking. You have become lazy!
5. We _ ​​speaking two languages. We are used to speaking two languages.
6. He _ coming in time. He taught himself to be on time.
7. I _ drinking tea. Coffee is bad for my health. - I've got into the habit of drinking tea. Coffee is bad for me.
8. 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!
9. I _ sweeping the floor every day. - I used to sweep the floor every day.
10. 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?
11. Monika _ be a doctor, but she has already retired. Monika used to be a doctor. But she is already retired.
12. We _ ​​be friends. Then something went wrong. - We were friends. But then something went wrong.

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, but 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. - Nowis heused toeatusefulfood.

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. - Heaccustomsmyselfwashclothestwicebehindweek.

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. - Acrosscoupleweeksyouget 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.

1. Jane -- smoke a lot. Then she quit it. Jen used to smoke a lot. But then she quit smoking.
2. I see you -_ new rules. Keep it up! I see you are getting used to the new rules. Keep it up!
3. 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?
4. You_be very hardworking. You have become a lazybones! - You were so hardworking. You have become lazy!
5. We _ ​​speaking two languages. We are used to speaking two languages.
6. He _ coming in time. He taught himself to be on time.
7. I _ drinking tea. Coffee is bad for my health. - I've got into the habit of drinking tea. Coffee is bad for me.
8. 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!
9. I _ sweeping the floor every day. - I used to sweep the floor every day.
10. 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?
11. Monika _ be a doctor, but she has already retired. Monika used to be a doctor. But she is already retired.
12. We _ ​​be friends. Then something went wrong. - We were friends. But then something went wrong.

Design used to + infinitive has the same form in all persons and numbers.

affirmative form			negative form			Interrogative form
I	used to	playing tennis	I	did not use to	playing tennis	Did I	use to	playing tennis?
he she it		be very slim	he she it		be very slim	Did he she it		be very slim?
we you they		read a lot	we you they		read a lot	Did we you they		read a lot?

It can also be used in the negative form. never used to instead of didn't use to.

Use used to + infinitive

1. Repeated, ordinary actions that took place in the past and completed to the present moment. It is translated by the verb in the past tense of the imperfect form - usually, used to, used to.

Examples: I used to drive to work but now I take the bus. I used to go to work by car, but now I go by bus.
my sister used to play basketball when she was younger. My sister used to play basketball when she was younger.

2. Expression of actions or states that lasted a long period of time in the past (often with verbs to be - to be, to know - to know, to live - to live and etc.). If we are talking about actions or states characteristic of the present, the form is used.

Examples: I used to live in London, but I moved in 2010. – I lived in London, but moved in 2010.
I didn't use to like classical music. I have never liked classical music.

The use of will and would

1. and can be used to refer to a stereotype of human behavior in certain situations. Will indicates the future tense would- for the past.

Examples: Tom is a very polite guy. He will always help me if I ask. Tom is a very polite guy. He will always help if I ask.

my friends would come to us on Sundays. My friends used to come to us on Sunday.

Using used to + infinitive or would

1. If habitual actions are performed in the past, it is used used to + infinitive or would.

Examples: When we were children, we used to/would play hide and seek. When we were kids, we used to play hide and seek.

2. If the state in which the person or object was in the past is indicated, only used to + infinitive.

Examples: my sister used to be a hairdresser. - My sister was a hairdresser.

Today we are going to talk about habits. IN English language 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 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, usually the Past Simple is used, but, nevertheless, it is used from time to time.
Interrogative sentences are built using 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 see the following form negative proposals:
— I used not to eat junk food.

Special attention should be paid to pronunciation:
“used to” is not pronounced like two individual words, they seem to merge into one, the ending “d” drops 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.

- You don't want to buy 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.

In this lesson, we will look at turnovers with would And used to used in conversations about the past, as well as various turns with the verb would. The latter are remarkable in that often their meaning is clear only in the context.

• I would play football - I used to play football.
• I used to play football - I used to play football.
• Would you read this book? – Would you read this book? Could you read this book?
• I would like to play football - I would like to play football.
• Exercises.

I would play football - I used to play football

The first turn is built like this:

The turnover is used when talking about the past, and the story often has a touch of nostalgia. Combination would + verb expresses an action that was repeated in the past from time to time, in Russian we can say “it happened” in this case. Note: the verb after would used in the initial form, not in the past tense form.

When I was a kid, we would play football with my brother every day. - When I was a child, my brother and I (used to) play football every day.

In practice, turnover occurs when a person goes into memories and talks about old good days. In this case would can appear in almost every sentence. For example:

Back in 1965, when I was ten, we lived in the ranch. my brother would go fishing every morning. He would wake up early, do some work and go to the lake. He would always come back with fish.

In 1965, when I was ten, we lived on a ranch. my brother every morning went fishing. He got up early, did some work and walked to the lake. He always returned with fish.

Verb would in this case, as a rule, it is used only in the affirmative form, but not in the negative or interrogative form.

I used to play football - I used to play football

Another turnover related to the past is constructed as follows:

Combination used + to-verb(for short, the turnover is often called the “verb used to”) expresses an action that lasted in the past, but no longer lasts. It is often used, again, when talking about the affairs of the past. For example:

I used to play football when I was a kid. - I played football when I was a kid (assuming I don't play anymore).

He used to smoke. - He smoked(assuming he no longer smokes).

He used to be my friend. - He was my friend (no longer a friend).

Please note that the word “used” in this turnover is used in the past tense. We cannot say: “I use to play football”, the turnover can only refer to the past tense, this is its essence.

Used + to-verb rarely, but still used in negative and interrogative form.

• In negative form used to turns into did not use to (didn't use to):

Back in the day, kids didn't use to be like this. - In the old days, children are so were not.

I didn't use to be a good person. - I was not (before) a good man.

• An interrogative sentence is built using did:

Did he use to be a good person? Was he a good person before?

Did you use to work with my father? Have you worked with my father before?

Please note that in negative and interrogative sentences used turns into use, that is, it takes the initial form, as it should be for the verb in questions and negations, built with the participation of the auxiliary verb to do.

There are two similar used + to-verb turnover with a completely different meaning:

• to be used to smt- get used to something

I am used to heat. - I used to to the heat.

I am not used to it. - I'm up to it not used to.

• to get used to smt- get used to something

Get used to your new life. - get used to to your new life.

I can't get used to this city. - I cant get used to to this city.

I would play football but ... - I would play football, but ...

The combination would + verb there is one more function. By adding would before the verb, we thereby put this verb in the subjunctive mood, that is, we add “would” to it. This is especially noticeable when compared will + verb(simple future tense) and would + verb.

Note: by the subjunctive mood, I mean the form of the verb that expresses the desired, supposed, possible action, in Russian this form is formed with the help of “would”: “I would play ...”, “I would talk ...”, etc.

I will play football. - I play in football.

I would play football. - I would play in football.

You may ask, but how to understand what “I would play football” means: “I used to play football” or “I would play football”? You can tell the difference with context. To make it clearer, let's add some context:

I would play football but I can't. - I would play football, but I can't.

I would play football every day when I was a kid. - I, used to play football every day when I was a kid.

I would read this book but there are no pictures in it. - I would read this book, but there are no pictures in it.

I would read this book to my niece. - I, used to, read this book for my niece.

Note that the verb would- modal, it is used according to the same rules as other modal verbs:

1. After the modal verb, the infinitive is used without a particle to.

Right: I would read

Not right: I would to read this book. – I would read this book.

2. Questions and negatives are built in a special way:

I would not (wouldn't) read this book but there are nice pictures in it. - I would not read(wouldn't read) this book, but it has beautiful pictures.

Would you read this book? - You would read this book?

An important nuance is connected with the last sentence.

Would you read this book? – 1) Would you read this book? 2) Could you read this book?

Interrogative sentences on “would”, depending on the context, can be interpreted in two ways:

1. Like a question involving a guess

Would you read this book? There are no pictures in it. – Would you read this book? (Would you read this book?) There are no pictures in it.

2. As a polite request. You can add “please” to the end of a sentence for more politeness:

Would you read this book (please)? I am sure that you will like it. Could you read this book (please)? I'm sure you'll like it.

If there is no “please”, then it is possible to figure out where which case is only if there is a context.

I would like to play football

Pay attention to turnover “I would like + to verb”. It means “I would like”, in it the combination “would like” can be considered as one verb “would like”. It is similar in meaning to a verb. to want(to want), but in an uncertain or polite manner. Compare:

I want to buy this phone. - I want buy this phone.

I would like (I'd like) to buy this phone. - I would like buy this phone.

Would like are used in the affirmative form to politely express desire:

I would like to ask you a question. - I would like to ask you a question.

In negative form would like used to politely express unwillingness. Negation and question would like built on the same principle as modal verbs. In negative form add not:

I would not like (wouldn't like) to stay in this hotel. - I would not like to stop in this hotel.

In interrogative form, “would” is placed before the subject. Question from would like makes a polite request:

Would you like to play chess? - Would you like to play play chess?

Would like can also be used in the turnover “would like + addition”.