USE 1 Habit in the past

Like "used to" and Simple Past, "would" expresses the idea that something was an old habit which stopped in the past. It says that an action was often repeated in the past, but it is not usually done now. Unlike "used to" and Simple Past, "would" suggests that someone willingly acted that way and sometimes expresses annoyance or amusement at the habit. It also often suggests the habit was extreme. To express the opposite idea, we can say "would never" to indicate that someone never did something in the past, but now they do.

Examples:

• She would send me strange birthday gifts.
• Sam and Mary would always choose the most exotic vacation destinations.
• Sally would not always arrive early to class. She came late once or twice.
• Ned would show up at our house without calling first.
• Mindy would not always walk to school. Sometimes, she took the bus.
• Christine would come late to the meetings.
• Jeff would never pay for drinks when we went out together with our friends.
  
  

Note: "Would/ would always" is not exactly the same as "used to" or the Simple Past. "Would/ would always" cannot be used to talk about past facts or generalizations. "Would/ would always" is not used with state verbs. It can only be used for repeated actions or habits.

Examples:

• Sarah was shy, but now she is very outgoing. Correct
• Sarah used to be shy, but now she is very outgoing. Correct
• Sarah would always be shy, but now she is very outgoing. Not Correct

Time expressions used with the Past Simple:

yesterday, then, when, How long ago…? Last night/week/month/year/Tuesday, etc., three days/weeks, etc. ago, in 1997, when he/she was young, etc.

Дата добавления: 2014-10-31