Future: Will X Be going to

Will is used: - to make decisions at the moment of speaking

- to state a fact about the future
- to make a promise
- to make a prediction

Be going to is used: - a future event that has been planned before the time of speaking
- to make a future prediction based on facts / evidence

Future continuous: Subject + will be + verb-ing

We use future continuous: - to say that something will be in progress at a certain time in the future.
- to ask about somebody’s plans.

EXERCISES
1) Fill in the blanks with the words into brackets using will or be going to.

a) My brother ______________________ (be) 45 in October.

b) - The phone is ringing and I’m in the shower!

- Don’t worry Mark, I _______________________ (answer) for you.

c) James Jones ______________________________(probably / become) the next President.

d) Mum is unemployed but she _____________________________ (not / apply) for that job because
it isn’t well-paid.

e) I’m so excited! We ________________________________ (move) to a bigger house next month.

f) My parents ___________________________ (be) very proud, I have passed all the exams.

g) I think my sister ______________________________ (pass) the exam, she has studied very hard
so far.

h) I ________________________________ (take) the kids to the mountains this winter.

i) There isn’t any milk left in the fridge

- I know, I __________________________________ (do) the shopping this afternoon.

j) There isn’t any milk left in the fridge

- Oh sorry!, I __________________________________ (give) you some juice instead.

k) Look at the clouds, it _____________________________________ (rain); you should take an

umbrella!

l) There’s a knock at the door; that __________________________ (be) the postman.

m) Boys __________________________ (be) boys!

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n) When the cat is away, the mice ___________________________________ (play)

o) I’m not feeling well, I _________________________________ (faint).

p) It’s 11:00pm; I think I ___________________________________ (go) to bed now.

q) She _______________________________________ (meet) them at 6:00pm.

r) That _______________________________ (be) the book you are looking for.

s) There ________________________________ (be) a gale.

t) Sally is a big girl now, we _____________________________________ (buy) her a scooter.

2) Complete de sentences using Future Continuous.

a) Don’t call him too early tomorrow morning. He _____________________________________

(sleep) until 9:00.

b) They can’t come to our party. They _____________________________________(work) all day on

Saturday.

c) What __________ you _____________________________________(do) tomorrow night?

I _____________________________________ (help) my mother.

d) This time next week I_____________ probably _____________________(drink) coconut water on

the beach.

e) She loved the new outfit I bought and said that she _____________________________________
(wear) it for our dinner party tonight.

f) Don’t call me between 7pm and 8pm. I _____________________________________( study).

g) If you need to contact him, He _____________________________________(stay) at the Ibis Hotel

until Friday.

h) Can we meet tomorrow in the afternoon?

No, I can’t. I _____________________________________ (organize) the house all day long
tomorrow.

i) We can’t go out together tonight because I _____________________________________ (read)

the book for the test tomorrow.

j) Next semester she _____________________________________ (take) an English course.

k) They _____________________________________ (travel) to Disney next week.

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 Will / be going to / present continuous

WILL
*I hope it will be sunny tomorrow. *I won’t come with you,I have an exam tomorrow.
*I think you will be a vet in the future,you love the animals. *I believe you won’t have any problems in
English.
*I am sure it will rain tomorrow.
*I will help you wash the dishes. will + not =won’t

BE GOING TO
*I am gonig to *I am not going to *Are you going to go..?
*You/we/they are going to *you/we/they aren’t going to *Is she going to sleep…?
*he/she/it is going to *he/she/it isn’t going to *Are they going to come…?

Present Continuous Tense with Future Meaning

I am flying I am not flying Are you flying..?
He/she/ it flying He/she/it isn’t flying Is he flying…?
WE/you/they are flying We/you/they aren’t flying Are they flying….?

EXERCISE A: Rewrite the sentences with “will,be going to , present continuous tense”.
1.I will come to the party 2.I am flying to London next week. 3.I am going to watch that film soon.
………………………………… ……………………………… ………………………………………
………………………………… . ………………………………… ……………………………………

EXERCISE B.Make the sentences negative.

1.I think I will be a teacher in the future………………………………………………
2.I am going to fly to France next week………………………………………………..
3.I am coming with you,wait for me! ………………………………………………..
4.I will help my mother. ………………………………………………………………
5.It is going to rain,look at the clouds !.......................................................................

EXERCISE C: Complete the sentences with appropriate tenses.

1.Ok, mum I _______ the door now! (open) 2.I _______ my Maths exam tomorrow at 9
pm.(study)
3.Here are my tickets! I _____ to Paris tomorrow. 4.Oh,look at the black clouds,It_____________ (rain).
5.I am sure you ________ the exam.(pass) 6.Everything is planned.We ____________on a
picnic.
7.I hope you ______be a good teacher in the future. 8.As for my plan,I ________ have an exam on
Thursday.

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 Complete the sentences with
a suitable future form.

 for future events which are part of a fixed timetable or 1. We will go out as soon as we _____
programme: _______________________ (finish) this.
Ex: The train leaves at 9.
2. By the time we get there, the film
 for future events in clauses of time (when, as soon as, before,
after, until…) and condition (if, unless, as long as …): ____________________________ (begin).
Ex: I’ll buy you a newspaper when I go out. 3. Look at those clouds. It _________
_______________________ (rain).
4. I ________________________________
(meet) her this evening.
 for future plans or (social) arrangements (we must give the 5. Don’t call at 6.00. I ______________
time, date and /or place):
Ex: What are you doing this evening? – I am staying at home.
___________ (do) my homework then.
6. Perhaps I ______________________
(see) you tomorrow.
7. I forgot the car keys. – Don’t
 for predictions when there are signs that something will
happen in the near future: Ex: It’s getting late. You are going to worry, I ________ (get) them for you.
miss your train. 8. What time _____________ the next
 for future plans or intentions that were planned before the train __________________ (arrive)?
time of speaking: Ex: I am going to move to Italy next month.
9. He __________________ (spend) all
his money by the end of the week.
10. I ____________________________
 for things we think or believe will happen in the future (we (pay) all my debts in a week’s time.
often use the words think, believe, expect, be sure, be afraid, hope,
possibly, perhaps, certainly...): Ex: I think you will enjoy this film. 11. Stop that, or I _________________
 for (unplanned) intentions /decisions made at the moment of (tell) your parents.
speaking: Ex: We seem to be lost. I’ll stop and ask for the way 12. Paul ___________________________
home.
 for future facts: Ex: He will be 50 next month. (learn) French.
 for threats, promises, offers, requests… : 13. This time next week he _________
Ex: Stop that or I’ll tell your parents. __________ (camp) in the mountains.
Ex: I will be careful, I promise.
 with the 1st conditional: Ex: I will visit you later, if I have the 14. Have you heard? Linda _________
time. _________________(buy) a new house.
15. Where __________ you ___________
(work) in ten years’ time?
 for temporary actions that will be in progress at a certain time in 16. I ________________________ (help)
the future: you move if I get here on time.
Ex: I will be having dinner at 7 pm.
 for things that are already planned, or which are part of a 17. Stay in your seat until the bell
regular routine: ___________________________ (ring).
Ex: I will be driving into town later on. Can I give you a lift? 18. __________ you ______________
 for polite enquiries about people’s plans /decision:
Ex: Will you be going out this evening? (use) your car at the weekend? - I
guess I will.
19. _______ you ____________________
(watch) the action movie? – Yes, I
 for actions that will happen / be completed by a certain time in am.
the future: 20. He ____________________ (arrive)
Ex: I will have finished my homework by the time you get back. in Paris by the end of the day.
 It is often used with a time expression using by + a point in
future time (then, the time...)

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KEY

1. We will go out as soon as we finish this.

2. By the time we get there, the film will have begun.
3. Look at those clouds. It is going to rain.
4. I am meeting / am going to meet her this evening.
5. Don’t call at 6.00. I will be doing my homework then.
6. Perhaps I will see you tomorrow.
7. I forgot the car keys. – Don’t worry, I will get them for you.
8. What time does the next train arrive?
9. He will have spent all his money by the end of the week.
10. I will have paid all my debts in a week’s time.
11. Stop that, or I will tell your parents.
12. Paul is going to learn French.
13. This time next week he will be camping in the mountains.
14. Have you heard? Linda is going to buy a new house.
15. Where will you be working in ten years’ time?
16. I will help you move if I get here on time.
17. Stay in your seat until the bell rings.
18. Will you be using your car at the weekend? -I guess I will.
19. Are you going to watch the action movie? – Yes, I am.
20. He will have arrived in Paris by the end of the day.

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 Quick reminder : Past continuous – use – interrupted actions in
Present simple – use – facts, habits, the past, atmosphere, description:
permanent situations: I was having a bath when the phone
The sun rises in the east. rang.
I often go to the market on While he was living in France he
Saturdays. visited Paris.
I work in a bank. When I woke up this morning the sun
Does he live in France? was shining.
They don’t like children. She was wearing a beautiful blue
Present continuous – use – things we are dress when I saw her yesterday.
doing now, temporary situations, future Were you listening when I was talking to you?
activities organized: They weren’t eating when we arrived.
I’m having lunch at the moment. Present Perfect – use – unspecified past, life
She’s living with her parents while experience, uncompleted actions, change over
she’s looking for a job. time:
I’m seeing my mother tomorrow. I’ve seen that film before. (you don’t
Is she playing tennis tomorrow? know when)
He isn’t doing anything at the moment Tom has worked in two companies.
Past simple - use – completed actions in the (you don’t know which companies or
past, past facts: when)
Yesterday I went to the bank. I’ve been a teacher for 32 years. (and
I lived in England for 30 years. I’m still a teacher)
There wasn’t much pollution in my His English has improved since we
grandparents days. last met.
Did you watch television last evening? Has he arrived yet? I haven’t been there.
They didn’t like the meal.

1. We ....................................................... (invite) them to the party but they didn’t come.

2. It .................................................. (rain) when we .............................................(go) out.
3. It’s a nice day today. The sun .........................................................(shine).
4. I got up early and ..............................................................(have) a shower.
5. The phone ............................(ring) while Mary ........................................(cook) dinner.
6. Tom isn’t at home at the moment. He .................................................(travel) abroad.
7. I saw Bob and Sam at the party, but I ................................................(not/speak) to them.
8. Robert had a book in his hand but he ..............................................(not/read) it.
9. The floor is clean now. I ..............................................................(just/wash) it.
10. How often ................................................................(you/go) on holiday ?
11. Janet and Daniel...............................................................(be) married for nine years.
12. Who ..............................................................................( invent) the telephone ?
13. Jo got married when she ...................................................(be) 23.
14. I ............................................................(know) Ann and Lesley since we were at school..
15. ................................................................(I/not/watch) TV very much.
16. The children are in the living room. They .........................................(watch) TV.
17. We ................................................(not/be) hungry, so we didn’t stay for lunch.
18. Betty ......................................................(have) the same job for 15 years.
19. I .....................................................................(never/ride) a horse in my life.
20. We .....................................................(go) to the cinema yesterday.

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key

1. We INVITED them to the party but they didn’t come.

2. It WAS RAINING when we WENT out.
3. It’s a nice day today. The sun IS SHINING;
4. I got up early and HAD a shower.
5. The phone RANG while Mary WAS COOKING dinner.
6. Tom isn’t at home at the moment. He IS TRAVELLING abroad.
7. I saw Bob & Sam at the party, but I DIDN’T SPEAK to them.
8. Robert had a book in his hand but he WASN’T READING it.
9. The floor is clean now. I HAVE JUST WASHED it.
10. How often DO YOU GO on holiday ?
11. Janet and Daniel HAVE BEEN married for nine years.
12. Who INVENTED the telephone ?
13. Jo got married when she WAS 23.
14. I HAVE KNOWN Ann and Lesley since we were at school..
15. I DON’T WATCH TV very much.
16. The children are in the living room. They ARE WATCHING TV.
17. We WEREN’T hungry, so we didn’t stay for lunch.
18. Betty HAS HAD the same job for 15 years.
19. I HAVE NEVER RIDDEN a horse in my life.
20. We WENT to the cinema yesterday.
.

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8 TH GRADE exercises

A.
a.
1. He ______________________ (not/earn) enough money in his job.
2. Buses to Stradforf _____________________ (leave) every four hours.
3. I ______________________________ (not/drive) to school. I go by bus.
4. He usually ______________________ (have) lunch at about 2 o'clock.
5. Mary __________________________ (catch) the bus to school at about 7 o'clock.
6. This problem ________________________ (not/happen) very often.
7. My uncle _____________________ (fly) to Greece regulary.
8. She often ______________________ (arrive) at school late.
9. You _________________________ (not/do) your homework carefully enough.
10. It often _______________________ (rain) at this time of the year.
11. She ________________________ (read) a magazine every week.

B.

1. Juan and Carmen (lives / live) in Madrid.

2. Harry (watches / watch) television every evening.
3. All the buses (leaves / leave) from this bus-stop.
4. You never (cleans / clean) your teeth.
5. Sam (comes / come) from America.
6. It never (snows / snow) in Africa.
7. I usually (goes / go) to school by bus.
8. Betty (get / gets) up early every day.
9. They (likes / like) football very much.
10. We sometimes (makes / make)our beds.

Complete the conversation between two students called Duncan and Paul. Put in
the Present Simple or continuous of the verbs./ Dopolni pogovor med dvema
študentoma. 10/
WASTE WORK TALK THINK WAIT LIVE WALK LOOK DO
KNOW
DUNCAN: (you )_____________________ for someone?
PAUL: Yes – foe Neil. We _________________ home together most days. We ____________ in
the same street.
DUNCAN: I'm not sure, but I _____________ he _____________ to Mr. Davies about
something.
PAUL: Yes, I _____________. He told me. What avout you? What (you) _________________
here?
DUNCAN: I _______________ for the secretary. I can't find her anywhere.
PAUL: She isn't here today. She only _______________ two days a week:
DUNCAN: Oh, of course. I ____________ my time then.

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8 TH GRADE exercises

D.
a. I (write) _____________ to my parents. I (write) _____________ to them every weekend.
b. It (snow)_________________ outside. It (come) ________________ down quite hard, look.
c. Normally I (start) _______________ working at 8 o’clock, but I (start) _______________ at 7
this week. We’re very busy at the moment.
d. Usually I (buy) ________________ two newspapers, but not the same ones every day. On
Sundays I (buy) __________ four or five.
e. We (build) _______________ a garage next to our house. We (want) ____________
somewhere to put the car.
f. Let’s go put. It (not / rain) ________________ now.
f. Hurry up! Everybody (wait) __________________ for you.
g.’(you/ listen) ___________________ to the radio?’ ‘No, you can turn it off.’
h. ‘(you/ listen) ___________________ to the radio every day?’ ‘No, just occasionally.’

E.Put the verbs in brackets in the Simple Present or the Present Progressive.

1) Andy sometimes _________ comics. (to read)

2) We never ____________TV in the morning. (to watch)

3) Listen! Sandy ___________ in the bathroom. (to sing)
4) My sister usually __________ in the kitchen. (to help)
5) My mother _________ breakfast now. (to make)
6) They often ________ the bathroom. (to clean)
7) Look! The boys ________ home. (to come)
8) Every day his grandfather ________ for a walk. (to go)
9) I __________ with my friend at the moment. (to chat)
10) Cats ____________ mice. (to eat)

A
.………………………………..(you see) the Bruce Lee film on TV last night?
No. But I……………………………..(see) all of his films in video already this year.

I…………………(live ) in Germany for five years now. I…………….(move) here in 1989.

I…………………………(live) in Portugal for a time, but I live in Rome now.

My uncle Tom……………………….(meet) Winston Churchill.

That's nothing! My mum………………………..(meet) Prince Charles.

Where's Jane?
She…………………………….(go) to America. She…………………….(leave) last week.
Really? Why……………………….(she/go) there?

My father…………………………….(work) in that shop for twelve years. Then he…………

(get) a job in a bank.
He…………………………………..(work) at the bank for quite a few years now, hasn't he?

How long………………………………(you/learn) Italian?

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8 TH GRADE exercises

I…………………………(start) learning the language when I…………………(be) twelve.

B. I………………………(not check) the list yet.

She ……………………….(fall) off the horse several times.
We………..already………………………(congratulate) him.
He ……….just………………(make) me a compliment.
You …………………………….(not change) since I last met you.
……………..you………………….(sharpen) the pencil?
She…………already………………………(shorten) her skirt.
Why……………you…………………….(not do) your homework?
I………………never……………………(shoot) a man before.
They ……………………………….(deepen) the swimming pool recently.

C.How many times………you……………..(hear) those words before?

What……………you………………..(see) when you …………(be) in Vienna?
I……………(be) really sorry when I…………………..(hear) about you and Tim. How
long…………. you …………………. (be) divorced now?

D. …………….they…………………….(turn up) yet?

When………………….she…………………….(graduate)?
I…………….just…………………….(meet) an amazing person.
His words…………………………(turn up) to be a lie. He………………(be) a perfect liar.
Sully …………………………..(put down9 his suitcases and………………………….(go in).
Nobody…………………(be) at home. Only a dog in the backyard…………………….. (bark)
once opr twice. He…………………………..(know) his family had moved away.
I………………………(meet) Greta last week, but I……………………….(not see) her today.
…………….your mother…………………..(invest) much money in this project so far?

Questions/ VPRAŠALNICE
Present Simple –vprašanja & kratki odgovori
a) BE + ime/ pridevnik/nacionalnost etc…
Are you Maggy? Yes, I am. / No, I'm not
Is she Mexican? Yes, she is. / No, she isn't.

b) (Wh-question) + Do/does + oseba+ nedoločnik (1.oblika glagola) …..?

Present Continuous –vprašanja

Wh-question + AM/IS/ ARE + oseba+ ING form (going, making, shopping) …..?

Past Simple& Continuous Q+ A + S+I

Q= QUESTION WORD A= AUXILIARY VERB S = SUBJECT I= INFINITIVE

Example: She travelled to England last year. WHERE did she travel last year?

WHEN did she travel to England?

Make questions.

1. She was dancing with him all night. Who_______________________

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8 TH GRADE exercises

Who __________________________________________________
2. It took them half an hour to get to school.

3. We were travelling for three hours.

4. They were listening to music in the kitchen.

5. She didn’t want to speak to anyone.

6. The Germans never talked business during lunch.

7. I liked reading horror books.

8. Angela and Tommy were in the USA five times last year.

9. They went to many parts of eastern and western Europe.

10. I was born in Argentina.

11. We were living in Argentina when the war started.

12. I was German correspondent for two years.

2.Insert the correct auxiliary verb DID, WAS, or WERE and correct answer.
a. _____ you watching tv last night? Yes, I _____
b. _____ they go to the cinema last week? Yes, they _________.
c. ______ she listening to music at 5p.m? no, she _______.
d._______ he doing his bed in the morning? No, he ________.
e. _______you watching TV when they came home? No, we _______.
f. ______ he spend holiday in France? Yes, he ________.
g. ______ I buy a new car? Yes, I _______.
h. _______ they travel to the USA last year? Yes, they ________.
i. _____he use to work for the BBC World Service? Yes, he _______.
j. ______ we eating lunch at 12 o’clock? Yes, we ________.
k. ______ she driving when she saw an accident? No, she _____.
l. _______ they having a party yesterday at 8? Yes, they_______.

1.
2. She is dancing with him all night. Who_______________________
Who __________________________________________________
3. It takes them half an hour to get to school.

4. We sre travelling for three hours.

5. They are listening to music in the kitchen.

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8 TH GRADE exercises

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PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE, PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS AND PAST SIMPLE

1. Jack ……………. (live) in Boston for the past 15 years, but now he lives in Bristol.
2. Janet …………. (work) for Smith and Brothers before she came to work for us.
3. Dad, ……………. (you/finish) reading the paper yet?
4. You look really great! ………… (you, work) out at the fitness centre recently?
5. I …………(have) the same car for more than ten years. I'm thinking about buying a new one.
6. I came to England six months ago. I started my economics course three months ago. When I
return to Australia, I ……………. (study) for nine months and I ……… (be) in England for
exactly one year.
7. The other day I …………………………….. (meet) our friend Chris
8. She is very ill, she ………………………(not be) here for two weeks
9. Sam ……………….(arrive) in San Diego a week ago.
10. It ……………… (rain) all week. I hope it stops by Saturday because I want to go to the
beach.
11. He ……………………… (go) to Leeds last week.
12. We ………………………………..(build) many new roads in Poland.
13. Listen Donna, I don't care if you ……………………(miss) the bus this morning. You (be)
………………..late to work too many times. You are fired!
14. Peter ……………… (play) Tennis for five years when he ………….. (be) at school.
15. I'm afraid I'm not hungry. I ………………… (eat/already).
16. The old woman ……………………(fall) as she was crossing the street.
17. In the last hundred years, travelling …………………… (become) much easier and very
comfortable. In the 19th century, it ………………… (take) two or three months to cross
North America by covered wagon. The trip ……………….(be) very rough and often
dangerous. Things ……………….(change) a great deal in the last hundred and fifty years.
Now you can fly from New York to Los Angeles in a matter of hours.
18. Judy: How long ………………………(be) in Canada?
Claude: I ……………………… (study) here for more than three years.
19. They ………………………….(live) here for the last seven years.
20. They …………….. (go) home after the concert last night.
21. I …………………….(not meet) him for three months.

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22. When Jack was at school, he ………………. (learn) to play the saxophone. He
…………………….. (play) it ever since.
23. John …………………….. (work) for the government since he graduated from Harvard
University. Until recently, he ………………….. (enjoy) his work, but now he is talking
about retiring.
24. Could you give me some advice? I ……………….. (buy) this sweater at Macy's yesterday.
Do you think I should take it back?
25. I ……………………… (see) Judy for more than five years and during that time I
…………………………… (see) many changes in her personality.
26. Frank, where have you been? We ………………………… (wait) for you since 1 PM.
27. ……………………(you / read) you the papers this morning?
28. Yesterday, my brother ……………….. (come) home from school, ………………(switch)
on the TV and………………….. (watch) TV until dinner………………. (be) ready.
29. Oh no, it's raining and I ………………..(leave) my umbrella at home.
30. He ……………………….. (be) in Vienna several times.
31. I think the waiter ………………… (forget) us. We ………………….(wait) here for over
half an hour and nobody………………… (take) our order yet.
32. He must realize we …………….. (order, not) yet! We ………………….(sit) here for over
half an hour staring at him.
33. Up to the present time I never …………………. (visit) this museum.
34. I…………………….. (work) for this company for more than thirty years, and I intend to
stay here until I retire!
35. Come on, let's celebrate! Our team ………………(win) the match.

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Complete the following sentences using USED TO, WOULD, BOTH (used to
and would), PAST SIMPLE or PAST PERFECT. Use contractions when possible.

1.I (love) going to the mountains when I was younger.

2.I (go) to the concert before I (talk) with my sister.

3.She (not do) her homework some years ago. Now, she is the best of
her class.

4.I (not eat) anything after I (make) dinner.

5. Martina (talk) to Cristina every day when they (be) at high

school.

6. he (swim) at the lake when he (be) little?

7. My father (go) to the hospital because he (cut) his finger with

a knife.

8. My brother (be) very serious until he (meet) Sandra.

9.When she (come) home, her cat (already/eat) everything!

10.My mother (make) my bed after waking up when we (live) in

Paris.

11.I (not like) lentils when I was little. Now, it’s my favourite dish.

12. he (tell) you that by the time I (arrive) home?

13.Sarah (dance) all afternoons when we (be) at school.

14.I (be) very tired yesterday because I (study) the whole day.

15.I (have) a picnic with my family on the weekends. It (be) a

wonderful time.

16. you (read) a lot when you (be) at the school?

17.My father (not call) my mother before he (drive) home.

18.My parents (dance) a lot when they (not be) married.

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Complete the following sentences using USED TO, WOULD BOTH (used to and
would), PAST SIMPLE or PAST PERFECT. Use contractions when possible.

1.I used to love (love) going to the mountains when I was younger.

2.I had gone (go) to the concert before I talked (talk) with my sister.

3.She didn’t use to do (not do) her homework some years ago. Now, she is the best
of her class.

4.I didn’t eat (not eat) anything after I had made (make) dinner.

5. Martina would talk (talk) to Cristina every day when they were (be) at high school.

6. Did he use to swim (swim) at the lake when he was (be) little?

7. My father went (go) to the hospital because he had cut (cut) his finger with a knife.

8.My brother used to be (be) very serious until he met (meet) Sandra.

9. When she came (come) home, her cat had already eaten (already/eat)
everything!

10. My mother would make (make) my bed after waking up when we lived (live) in
Paris.

11.I didn’t use to like (not like) lentils when I was little. Now, it’s my favourite dish.

12. Had he told (tell) you that by the time I arrived (arrive) home?

13. Sarah would dance (dance) all afternoons when we were (be) at school.

14.I was (be) very tired yesterday because I had been studying (study) the whole
day.

15.I would have (have) a picnic with my family on the weekends. It was (be) a
wonderful time.

16. Did you use to read (read) a lot when you were (be) at the school?

17. My father hadn’t called (not call) my mother before he drove (drive) home.

18. My parents used to dance/ would dance (dance) a lot when they weren’t (not
be) married.

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 USED TO
HABITS
WOULD
. used to is not a modal. It is formed like this:
I used to work there.

I didn’t use to work there.

Did you use to work there?
• Use would and used to to talk about past habits:
When we were children, my brother and I used to fight all the time.
When we were children, my brother and I would fight all the time.
• When we use would to talk about a past habit, it is necessary to use a past time reference. Used to
can be used with or without a past time reference.
I used to go out a lot.
(NOT I would go out a- lot.)

Before I got this job, I used to/would go out a lot.

• When we talk about past situations (not actions), we can use used to but we can’t use would :
We used to live in a flat in the town center.

(NOT We would live in a flat in the town center).

She used to have long hair but now she wears it short.

Complete the sentences with would or used to. Where either form is possible, write them both. Where there
is a word in brackets, put it in the correct position.
1 I………………………………have lots of free time before I started working here.
2 In the long summer holidays, we……………………………………out somewhere with a picnic every day.
3 When I was a newly-trained teacher, I ....................................................... work till late every night
preparing lessons.
4 They .................................................... be happy together but they’re not now.
5 When they came to London, they ......................................................... (never) travel anywhere on the tube.
6 When I had a car, I ......................................................drive everywhere, but now I’m much fitter because I
always walk or cycle.
7 During my last year at university, I ......................................................go to the library to start work at 9
o’clock every morning.
8 When we shared a flat together, we ..................................................... (often)stay up talking late into the night.
9 When Amy was a baby, people ............................................................. (often) come up to me and tell me
how beautiful she was.
10 He................................................. be very overweight but he’s much slimmer now.
11 When I was at school, I ...................................................... (never) do my weekend homework until
Sunday evening.

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 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 'USED TO' AND 'WOULD'.

We use both of these to talk about things in the past which we don't do now or are
not happening now. Sometimes both 'used to' and 'would' are OK in one sentence -
sometimes only 'used to'.

Let's start with some examples of 'used to' first. We might say,

"I used to live in Manchester, but I moved to London last year."

"When he was at school, he used to play football every Saturday."
"She used to hate her job until she got a promotion."

All of these sentences describe actions or situations in the past, which are finished
now; living in Manchester, playing football every Saturday, hating her job - these are
all finished now.

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We use 'used to' to talk about actions or situations that continued for some time in
the past, not for events which happened suddenly or just for a moment. So we can't
say: 'I used to have a really good idea when I was brushing my teeth this morning,'
because 'having a really good idea' happens suddenly - in one moment.

Now let's move on to 'would'. Here are some examples:

"When he was at university, he would sleep until noon at the weekends."
"My sister lived in Australia for many years, but she would always come home for
Christmas."
"I would always forget my homework, until the teacher threatened to punish me."

Again, these sentences are about situations in the past, which are finished. However,
it's important to notice that all the sentences, here, are about actions or situations
which were repeated again and again and again. Sleeping until noon at the
weekends, coming home for Christmas, forgetting my homework - all these things
were repeated many times, again and again and again.

This is the difference between 'would' and 'used to' -

We only use 'would' to describe actions or situations that were repeated again and
again and again...
But we use 'used to' for any extended action or situation in the past.

'Would' is only good for actions or situations that were repeated many times;
'Used to' is good for any action or situation that continued for a period of time in the
past, including repeated actions or situations.

To make this clearer, let's look at the three examples of 'used to' sentences, and see
if we can change them into 'would' sentences.

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Here's the first example again:
"I used to live in Manchester, but I moved to London last year."

Can we use 'would' instead of 'used to' here?

No, we can't, because 'living in Manchester' wasn't repeated again and again and
again. It's simply a situation in the past. Therefore, only 'used to' is good in this
sentence.

The second example again:

" When he was at school, he used to play football every Saturday."

Here, we're talking about 'playing football every Saturday'. This is an action that was
repeated many times, so we can also say:
"When he was at school, he would play football every Saturday".
'Used to' and 'would' are both good here, and the meaning is the same.

Finally, the third example again:

"She used to hate her job until she got a promotion."

Did she 'hate her job' many times?

No, this isn't a repeated action, so in this example 'would' isn't possible. We have to
use 'used to'.

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 USED TO and WOULD (exercises)
We use used to or We don’t use used to We don’t use never used to and If we stress the word
would to talk about or would when we say would with would never are would, it means that
habits or situations in how long a situation or state verbs. We common negative we found the habit
the past that are now habit in the past use used to. forms annoying.
finished. continued; we use the My mother Sam never used to Ted would go out
She used to like ice past simple. used to be a go to the rather than do his
cream, but she doesn’t Ann wore the same teacher./not kindergarten. homework.
now. black coat for 3 years. would be

1) Replace USED TO with WOULD in these sentences, where possible

1. As a student, Peter used to work on a farm every summer. ___________________
2. We used to live in Oxford in the 1980s. _____________________
3. Our cat used to be scared of our neighbour’s dog. ________________
4. My sister used to go swimming every week. _________________
5. Most of the time your school used to beat our school at football. __________________
6. Jane’s just had a message from someone she used to know at primary school.________
7. My parents used to take me to the theatre once a month. _____________

2) Choose the correct endings: a, b or both.

1. Before getting his driving licence, Mark________
a) used to ride a bicycle everywhere. b) would ride a bicycle everywhere.
2. While he was at university, Sam _____
a) used to spend two summers working in a café. b) spent two summers working in a café.
3. John Brown _______
a) worked for the same company all his life. b) used to work for the same company all his life.
4. Mr. Smith sometimes got angry with his son because _____
a) he would interrupt his phone calls. b) he constantly interrupted his phone calls.
5. When Mary was a small girl _____
a) she never used to go dancing. b) she didn’t use to go dancing.
6. Centuries ago people _______
a) used to be a lot shorter than today. b) would be a lot shorter than today.

3) Correct sentences, where necessary.
1. Did Sam used to work in a factory?
_________________________________
2. He’s not used to wear suits, but he does
now. _______________________________
3. Ted would have a nice big house.
____________________________________
4. Jill used to be a doctor for 20 years.
____________________________________
5. She would never return my phone calls.
____________________________________
4) Complete the sentences to suggest criticism using
WOULD and a verb given below.
leave run insist spend
1. Sam spent days trying to train his dog, but it ________
______ off whenever they went out.
2. The man __________his suitcases in the middle of the
hall where people would trip over them.
3. It’s obvious that Sally failed her end of year tests – she
________so much time doing nothing.
4. Dad warned Nick not to go to the forest alone, but he
____________ on doing it.

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KEY
Exercise 1)
1. As a student, Peter WOULD work on a farm every summer.
2. We used to live in Oxford in the 1980s. - correct
3. Our cat used to be scared of our neighbour’s dog. - correct
4. My sister WOULD go swimming every week.
5. Most of the time your school WOULD beat our school at football.
6. Jane’s just had a message from someone she used to know at primary school.- correct
7. My parents WOULD take me to the theatre every month.

Exercise 2)

1. both 2b 3a 4 both 5 both 6a

Exercise 3)

1. Did Sam USE to work in a factory?

2. He DIDN’T use to wear suits, but he does now.
3. Ted USED TO have a nice big house.
4. Jill WAS a doctor for 20 years.
5. She would never return my phone calls. – correct

Exercise 4)

1. would run
2. would leave
3. would spend
4. would insist

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 USED TO & WOULD

USED TO
describes past habits , usually in contrast with the present
e.g.: I used to get up at six but now I get up at eight.
describes also past states
e.g.: I used to live in Australia

WOULD
is used to describe a person’s typical activities in the past. It can be used only to describe
repeated actions and is mainly used in writing.
e.g.: Every morning was the same. Jack would turn on the radio, light his
pipe and fall asleep.

Choose the correct form:

1) We ( would / used to) chat a lot.

2) The satirical phrase ( would / used to)embarrass all the politicians I knew.
3) He ( would / used to)remove his jacket, his waistcoat and his tie and go and sit in the garden.
4) She ( would / used to)cook for herself and would take the dog out for a walk.
5) Oh my mother always ( would / used to)buy baked beans when I was a kid.
6) She ( would / used to) lie on the bed and fall asleep.
7) I ( would / used to) be eleven stone, when I was eighteen.
8) She ( would / used to)look odd carrying it around.
9) Yeah that's where the shop ( would / used to) be.
10) He ( would / used to) just put headphones on and close his eyes.
11) Every morning we ( would / used to) go to the beach and ( would / used to) swim for about an hour.
12) He ( would / used to) remain the night long in his study to work.
13) On odd days he ( would / used to) work on the novel.
14) After some time the student ( would / used to) return to report.
15) He ( would / used to) spend Christmas with his parents and ( would / used to) take them out to the restaurant
every single day of the week.

For each of the following sentences, choose either "used to" or "would". If both are possible, use "would".

1. Your mother __________ have a Yorkshire Terrier when she was a young girl, didn't she?
2. For years, they __________ go on holiday to the Rockies, but then it became very fashionable and expensive.
3. Years ago, I __________ write a diary every day but then I got bored with doing it and I stopped
4. At the start of their marriage, they __________ be very happy - but then it all went wrong!
5. You __________ spell so well. Whatever happened?
6. Do you remember how your Uncle David __________ sit in that chair and smoke those disgusting cigars.
7. When I was five, I __________ be able to do incredible gymnastics. Now I can't even touch my toes.
8. Before getting my driving licence, I __________ ride a bicycle everywhere.

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