i sh

E n gl s
Clas

The Past:
habitual events &
specific incidents
-used to
-would
Teacher Yanira Rodriguez
 WOULD
1. when we imagine a situation in the present (unreal situation)
- It would be nice to buy a new car, but we can’t afford it.
2. when we imagine a situation in the past (things that didn’t happen)
- I didn’t tell Sam what happened. He wouldn’t have been pleased.
3. We use would only if the time referrence is clear. (when we talk about regular or
repeated actions)

COMPARE:
1. I’m not going to invite them to the party. They wouldn’t come anyway.
2. I didn’t invite them to the party. They wouldn’t have come anyway.
3. Whenever we went to my uncle's house, we would play in the garden.
USED TO
 Habitual Events
would
used to
When I was a child my grandma would read to me every night.

When I was a child my grandma used to read to me every night.

 Past states
used to
I used to like tomato soup, but now I hate it.()

I would like tomato soup, but now I hate it.()

 Used to
negative forms

never used to
I be very good at languages.

didn’t use to
I be very good at languages.

I used not to be very good at languages. (this is quite formal.)

Thank you!