Exercises on used to be used to get used to. Used To in English. Equivalents of the grammatical construction used to

In this lesson we will get acquainted with the phrase used to and the verb would. During the lesson we will learn when and how to use them, and also learn to distinguish between them.

Topic: Repetition of time with expansion and comparison. Past tenses

Lesson: Ways to express the past tense. Turnoverused toAndwould

Let's consider this example:

They usedto live in London. – Earlier they lived in London.

This sentence tells about an action that happened in the past (they lived in London), but they don't live there now.

For building interrogative statements with turnover usedto we need an auxiliary verb did(since the action is past), and the turnover itself must be placed in the first form ( useto).

Example:

Did they use to live in London?

Where did they use to live?

To compile negativestatements to auxiliary verb did you need to add a negative particle not, or use the shortened form didn't’ t.

Example:

They did notuse to live in London.

They didn'tuse to live in London.

To build interrogative And negativestatements with verb would, we don't need the auxiliary verb did, since would is a modal verb. In the question we will simply put would in first place before the subject, and in negation we add a particle to it not.

We use would And usedto as an alternative for PastSimple for repeated habitual actions in the past that occurred over a certain period of time, but currently no longer occur.

Example:

When we were children we used to spend our money on sweets and ice-cream. – When we were children, we spent money on sweets and ice cream.

We would feel sick in the afternoons. “We felt bad during the day.

Would And usedto indicate the remoteness of the action and its duration. If we once used one of these phrases, then later in the context we can use the Past Simple tense.

Example:

We used to go to the country in summer. We went fishing and played volleyball

It should be noted that we are not required to use would And usedto in every situation. These phrases can always be replaced by Past Simple. But, nevertheless, they should not be neglected, as they make English speech much more natural.

Although both phrases describe a repeated action in the past, there are some differences between them. So, for example, if we are talking about a long-term state in the past, then we can only use usedto. Look at the situation in which would cannot be consumed.

Example:

We used to live in the town center. – Earlier we lived in the city center.

There used to be 3 cinemas in this street. - On this street earlier there were three cinemas.

We can use and would And usedto to describe recurring states that are associated with a particular context, even if those states occur repeatedly.

Example:

She would usually be hungry when she gets home from school. - She usually been there hungry when I came home from school.

When her father spoke, I wouldn’t understand anything. – When her dad said, I didn’t mind Notunderstood.

If we want to start a new topic of conversation and it doesn’t matter to us exactly when an action took place, then we should use usedto. Would It is also used when the time and place of action have been specified in advance.

Example:

I usedto buy that stuff but it’s a waste of money, you know. – Earlier I bought it, but it's, you know, a waste of money.

If the text indicates how many times and how long the action took place, we cannot use either would neither usedto. Instead we use PastSimple.

Example:

I wrote him twice during the summer. - I wrote him twice over the summer.

note that would often used with adverbs indicating periodicity, for example: always, usually, sometimes, every.

It should also be noted that the turnover usedto differs in pronunciation from the verb use, even though they are spelled the same.

In a sentence usedto And would usually placed in an unstressed position.

To better understand and master the peculiarities of using the phrases would and used to, you must do the following exercise.

Choose the appropriate phrase from brackets:

1) After his football match, Bob (would/used to) often come home exhausted.

2) You (would/used to) like him. – Yes, but now I hate him!

3) She (would/used to) live in London before the war, and then she moved to New York.

4) I remember we (would/used to) go fishing every morning when I was a child.

5) The children (would/used to) often help me make a cake. They still do sometimes.

6) He (would/used to) be a very good tennis player, until he broke his ankle.

7) My grandfather (would/used to) swim in the river. Unfortunately, now it’s forbidden.

Answers to the exercise:

1) After his football match, Bob would often come home exhausted.

2) You used to like him. – Yes, but now I hate him!

3) She used to live in London before the war, and then she moved to New York.

4) I remember we used to go fishing every morning when I was a child.

5) The children would often help me make a cake. They still do sometimes.

6) He used to be a very good tennis player, until he broke his ankle.

7) My grandfather used to swim in the river. Unfortunately, now it’s forbidden.

1. Afanasyeva O.V., Mikheeva I.V. English language. 9th grade. M.: Bustard - 2008.

2. Baranova K.M., Dooley D., Kopylova V.V. English language. M.: Education - 2011.

3. Biboletova M.Z., Trubaneva N.N. English language. 9th grade. M.: Title - 2008.

Translate into English using would, used to or Past Simple:

a) He used to smoke 10 cigarettes a day.

b) When Max was angry, he always left the house.

c) Did you eat toffee when you were little?

d) We often went swimming at the lake when we lived with our grandmother.

e) I used to think he was stupid, but now I understand how smart he is.

f) They met three times that autumn.

g) I haven’t drunk green tea before.

h) Last year my mother spoke to her sister only a few times.

For those learning English, it can be difficult to master the “used to, be/get used to” rule. Many people simply confuse similar-sounding designs. 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 are no longer happening. Usually the construction is translated as “before”, “once upon a time”.

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 this now.

He used to be a shop-assistant. Nowisamillionaire. - He was once a salesman, but 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 cannot say “use to”. The rules of use require the verb to be placed in the Past Simple. If you need to talk about habits that exist at the moment, use the Present Simple.

I used to eat bananas for breakfast. - EarlierIateonbreakfastbananas.

Iusuallyeatbananasforbreakfast. - I usually eat bananas for breakfast.

Please note: after the particle to is always used as an infinitive. Other forms of the verb are not allowed here.

My sister used to be a naughty child. - Mysisterwasnaughtychild.

Let's continue to look at 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 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? - EarlierTheycarried outtogethervacation?

In negative sentences, a particle is added to the auxiliary verb not, A useto also placed in the initial form.

I didn’t use to smoke when I was a schoolboy. - INotsmoked, WhenwalkedVschool.

Shedidn'ttusetoplaygolf. - She hasn't played golf before.

Used to or would?

When it comes to old habits, Sometimes they use another expression - would.

Kate would go to a swimming pool once a week. - EarlierKatewentVpoolonceVa week.

Remember an 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. - John once didn’t like rock music.

Would only indicates a repeated action in the past. It is not used to describe a condition.

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. In this sentence you should use usedto.

Would can also describe actions that occurred from time to time (often with an element of nostalgia). A good translation in this case is the word “happened.”

InmychildhoodIwouldgoforapicnicalmosteveryweekend. - As a child, I used to go on a picnic almost every weekend.

If you do not specify the frequency of the action, use usedto, not would.

Whenhewasachildheusedtowakeuplate. - He woke up late when he was a child (general situation, regularity not specified).

Whenhewasachildhewouldwakeuplateatweekends. - When he was a child, he woke up late on the weekends (how often the action was performed is indicated).

Have a habit of doing something

Let's look at one more 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 lifestyle has changed.

Heisusedtogettingupat 9am. - He is used to getting 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 It’s logical to put it in the present tense. For past habits, use an expression we already know usedto/didn"t use to. Compare:

My brother didn't use to eat healthy food. - MyBrotherearlierNotateusefulfood.

Now he is used to eating healthy food. - NowHeused to itThere isusefulfood.

Don't forget to put the particle to- there is no expression useddoing. The rule also requires the use of a gerund rather than an infinitive.

Jesse is used to making his bed in the morning. - Jesseused to itcoverbedByin the morning.

I am used to go to school on my foot. - II'm used to itwalkVschoolon foot.

Get used to something

Phrase togetusedto very close in value to the previous design. But there is a certain connotation of meaning - “get used to”, “get used to”, “adapt”. In this case, the synonymous construction will 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. - Heaccustomsmyselfwashclothestwicebehinda week.

After the particle to a gerund should also be included.

TheyaregettingusedtospeakingChinese - They get used to speaking Chinese.

In what grammatical tense should I put 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. - Througha coupleweeksYouyou'll get used to itTolocalkitchen.

Exercises

We have analyzed the use in detail usedto/beusedto/getusedto. The rule separates these constructions in meaning and grammatically. Practice using them in practice. Insert suitable words into the text. Remember to choose the right 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 such a hard worker. You have turned into a lazy person!
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 have become a 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 this!
9. I _ sweeping the floor every day. - I'm used to sweeping 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. - Monica once worked as a doctor. But she is already a pensioner.
12. We _ ​​be friends. Then something went wrong. - We were friends. But then something went wrong.

To communicate freely in English, you cannot do without such important grammatical structures as be And get used to do something. They are often confused with used to, but these are different things. While used to used to express an action that took place in the past, but is no longer happening today; be And get used to do something denote our addiction to something. I think everything will become much clearer thanks to examples.

Sentences with be and get used to do something

1. Why aren’t you sleeping? –I 'm used to getting up early.

Why are you not sleeping? - I'm used to getting up early.

2. It’s boring to sit in the office without any project. I 'm used to working hard.

It's boring to sit in the office without projects. I'm used to working hard.

As we see, be used to do indicates the result of habituation. If we literally translate this construction, we get “to be used to.” Therefore, it cannot be used when it is necessary to show the process of habituation or the need for habituation. For this case you will need get used to do something.

1. Tim grew up in a rich family. He had to get used to earning money.

Tim grew up in a wealthy family. He had to get used to earning money.

2. My parents have left for Paris. I need to get used to being alone.

My parents went to Paris. I need to get used to being alone.

In examples with get used to do something The incompleteness of the habituation process is clearly visible. The emphasis is placed on the fact that some time must pass before a person reaches the stage "I'm used to doing" (literally “I am accustomed to something”). I think it is no coincidence that the British use get. After all, it has the meaning “to become.” If you dance from the literal translation of the two constructions, you get the following:

to be used to do something- be used to doing something

to get used to do something - to become accustomed to something

The construction Used to is used very often in English. Its peculiarity is that it is always in the past tense, that is, in the Past Simple, because of this it is virtually impossible to make a mistake in its conjugation.

In addition, the construction Used to does not mean “to use”, but repeated actions, moreover, in the past. Today we will analyze this phrase piece by piece and find out where and under what conditions it can be used in speech.

To begin with, pay attention to examples of some sentences with this phrase:

• She usedtobe shy. — She used to be shy (Used to be shy).
• Tom used to - Tom is used to smoking
• Mary used to help her granny when she visited her. —MaryI'm used to itto helphisgrandma, Whenvisitedher.

The translation of this construction in sentences is based more on intuition than on accuracy. Agree, Used to in these sentences can be translated as “used to, often happened, often happened like this,” etc. And all because this construction means habitual recurring events in the past, but which no longer have a place to be in the present.

That is, we will translate these phrases: She used to be timid (but now she’s not). Tom used to smoke (not anymore).

If, speaking about these sentences, she would still be timid, or Tom would still smoke, then the construction Used to is no longer suitable. It will also not be suitable if the action happened only once - Tom smoked once. So, Used to is only used in events that were repeated in the past, but which no longer exist.

Let's summarize!

Let's summarize our rule and draw a conclusion.

The Used to construction is used when we are talking about actions that were repeated many times in the past, but now these actions no longer exist.

The Used to clause is not used if the action is still happening; if the action was one-time.

This phrase has three forms of formation: affirmative, negative and interrogative:

• Tomusedtosmoke. — Tom used to smoke (Tom had the habit of smoking)
• Tomdidn't"tusetosmoke. — Tom did not have the habit of smoking.
• DidTomusetosmoke? — Did Tom have a habit of smoking before?

There are three main points to pay attention to:

• The Used to construction does not change according to persons and numbers.
• Used to has no present or future tense, only events that are repeated in the past but no longer occur in the present.
• With this structure, action verbs and state verbs are used.

The Used to construction can be replaced by Would + infinitive, but this structure is only used with verbs that mean actions. For example:

• I wouldvisit my aunt every morning = I used to visit my aunt every morning. - EarlierIvisitedmyaunteachmorning.

State verbs cannot be used in this meaning: I would be shy. You can only: I used to be shy. (be is a state verb).

There are some phrases that differ from Used to, but they are often confused:

The construction Be used to means “to have the habit of doing something, to be accustomed to doing something.” This construction is also used only in the Past Simple:

• My sister is used to getting up early. - MysisterI'm used to itget upearly.
• He is used to do his homework after school. - Heused to itdohomework after school.
• We are used to come on time. - Wegot used to itcomeduring.

Construction Get used to - get used to something, get used to doing something, gradually get used to it. This phrase is used in different tenses:

• The present: Tom is getting used to travel on his own. (Tom gets used to ittravelone).
• Past: My grandparents got used to living there.(My grandparents used to live there).Did you get used to eating Japanese food? (Youused to itThere isJapaneseI'm going?)
• Future: He will have to get used toworking every day, without weekends.(He will have to get used to working every day, seven days a week).

Let's summarize where and what structures we use:

• Construction Used to do smth - habitual actions in the past that no longer occur (or would+ infinitive (only with action verbs).
• Version Be used to doing smth - to have the habit of doing something.
• Construction Get used to doing smth - Get used to it.

You see, friends - nothing complicated! Good luck to you!

They say habit is second nature. In English, to express the habit of performing any repeated actions in the past, there is a grammatical construction used to.

Unlike English, in Russian it is sometimes impossible to give a concise translation of some expressions. We have to use a variety of descriptions. This is exactly what happens with the phrase used to. She has an attitude to actions that happened in the past and no longer take place:

I used to buy an ice-cream on my way to school almost every day. - When I went to school, I used to buy ice cream almost every day on the way there.

I used to be a model. - I used to be a model.

You can choose a fairly large number of synonyms to translate this phrase. They all keep the same meaning:

• to be accustomed to something
• often do something before, in the past
• have a habit of doing something in the past

This grammatical phrase is used only to describe actions that can be expressed by the Past Simple tense:

I used to work with him. = I worked with him. I don't now.
I worked with him before. Now there is no.

Using the used to structure

As a grammatical construction used to has nothing to do with the verb to use - to use, to use. We offer you the basic situations for the correct use of this construction.

Equivalents of the grammatical construction used to

There are varieties of this grammatical phrase that can express action taking place in the present tense. Using designs be used to do And get used to we can describe such actions and states.

The grammatical phrase be used to

Be used to translated into English as “have a habit”. A distinctive feature of this construction is that it does not require a verb in the initial form after itself. Correct use of nouns, pronouns or verbs ending - ing:

I am used to living alone. - I'm used to living alone.
He is used to it. - He's used to it.

Grammar phrase get used to

We can translate this construction as “to become addicted, to get used to, to acquire a habit”. After it you should also put a noun, pronoun or verb with the ending - ing:

I cannot get used to his smoking. - I just can’t get used to (come to terms with) the fact that he smokes.

Iceland has a colder climate, we’ve got used to iut. - In Iceland the climate is colder, but we are used to it.

Design get used to can also express the future tense:

I will get used to big city life. - I'll get used to life in a big city.

So, we looked at the main meanings and uses of the phrase used to and its equivalents. It is worth saying that he is a regular not only in spoken English, but also in literary English.

We wish you to learn to talk about the actions that used to take place in your life and get used to new convenient grammatical structures!

Victoria Tetkina