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| Grammar | Syntax/Writing | Punctuation | Vocabulary | Pronunciation | ESL Station | |
The Past Habitual Tense
When we speak and write about past actions that occurred habitually-like habits- we use the past habitual tense. There are two forms of this tense:
Used to + the base form of the main verb -used for past habitual ACTIONS AND SITUATIONS
John used to work at Microsoft.
He used to be a technician.
Would + the base form of main verb -used for past habitual ACTIONS ONLY
John would work 12-hour days.
He would never complain about it.
Would + Base Form is the form used most often to tell a story.Click for examples Joy used to listen for Joshua's scratches at his window. He would listen for them every night. [To listen is an action. Either form is acceptable.]
Joy used to fear Louva. He has no reason to fear her anymore. The verb to fear expresses an emotional state, not an action. Therefore, used to fear is the only acceptable form.
In this activity, write sentences from the word groups given. You will need to make some additions and changes: write the verb in past habitual form, using would since you are telling a story. In addition, add any missing articles.
An article must appear before every singular count noun and specific plural nouns.
In this context, the nouns refer to specific places or things in the story. Therefore, you will need the definite article the. Study the example given. For help type a ? or the word help in the text field.EXAMPLE: Every evening / Joshua / looked at / stable / from window in his room.Every evening, Joshua would look at the stable from the window in his room.
1. Every morning / Joy / woke up and did Hint: When you have a compound verb, use the auxiliary verb only once.
/ chores Louva gave him.
2. Every day / he / washed / floor / and cleaned up / kitchen
3. He / talked with / Joshua / while / he was working Was working is past continuous tense. Don't change it.
/ in stable.
4. He / complained about / way / Louva treated him.
5. Many cold afternoons, they / went / into woods / to collect / woodWood is a general noun here. It doesn't refer to specific pieces of wood.
for fireplace.
6. Louva / hit / Joshua / and yelled at him / to move more quickly.
7. Joy / tried / to comfort / horse.
8. Joshua / shook / his head / to show he understood.
9. Every night / Joy / lay / on dirty mattress / on floor.
10. He / thought of / his home and wept for / his mother.
Go back to Page 1 and listen to the story one more time. THIS TIME LISTEN FOR ALL OF THE PAST HABITUAL TENSE VERBS WITH WOULD + BASE FORM.
