Back to Topic 3.2 — Past & future tenses

3.2.4English B SL14 flashcards

Used to & would

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Card 1 of 143.2.4

3.2.4

Question

used to + base verb

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All 14 Flashcards — Used to & would

Card 1definition

Question

used to + base verb

Answer

a PAST habit or a PAST state that is no longer true — I used to smoke; we used to live abroad

Card 2definition

Question

would + base verb

Answer

a repeated, typical past ACTION only — every winter we would go skiing

Card 3concept

Question

Can 'would' describe a past STATE?

Answer

No. Use 'used to' for states: 'I used to have a dog' (NOT 'I would have a dog').

Card 4concept

Question

How do you write 'used to' in the NEGATIVE?

Answer

didn't use to — drop the -d, because 'did' already carries the past.

Card 5concept

Question

How do you write the QUESTION form?

Answer

Did you use to…? — no -d on 'use' (Did you use to play the piano?).

Card 6concept

Question

Which form for a SINGLE finished past event?

Answer

The past simple — 'Last year I broke my arm' (NOT 'I used to break my arm').

Card 7definition

Question

I ___ be afraid of the dark. (used to / would)

Answer

used to — 'be afraid' is a state, so 'would' is impossible.

Card 8definition

Question

Every Sunday we ___ visit my aunt. (one answer that always works)

Answer

used to — and 'would' also works, because it is a repeated action.

Card 9concept

Question

What follows 'used to' and 'would'?

Answer

The base form of the verb (the infinitive without 'to'): used to GO, would GO.

Card 10definition

Question

Spell the positive correctly: 'I ___ to play tennis.'

Answer

used (with -d): I used to play tennis.

Card 11concept

Question

A good way to add range when describing the past?

Answer

Open with 'used to' to set the scene, then use 'would' for the repeated details.

Card 12concept

Question

State or action: be, have, like, live, know?

Answer

States — use 'used to', never 'would'.

Card 13concept

Question

State or action: play, go, visit, walk, eat (repeatedly)?

Answer

Repeated actions — both 'used to' and 'would' work.

Card 14concept

Question

Fix the error: 'She didn't used to like coffee.'

Answer

She didn't use to like coffee — drop the -d after 'didn't'.

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Past & future tenses

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