Welcome back to the blog, English learners! Today, we’re diving into a crucial aspect of English grammar: expressing habit in the present and the past. Understanding how to talk about your routines, both now and in the past, is essential for fluent and natural English conversation. This grammar point is perfect for B2 level learners looking to refine their spoken English and communicate more effectively. Let’s get started!

Understanding Habits: What are We Talking About?

Before we jump into the grammar, let’s clarify what we mean by “habit.” A habit is something we do regularly or repeatedly. It could be daily routines, weekly activities, or even things we did regularly in the past but don’t do anymore. Being able to accurately describe these habits is key to sharing information about your life and experiences in English.

In this lesson, we will explore:

• How to talk about present habits using different grammatical structures.
• How to express past habits, including actions you no longer do.
• Common mistakes to avoid when discussing habits in English.
• Practical exercises to help you practice and improve your understanding.

Ready to improve your English grammar and spoken English practice? Let’s explore habit in the present and the past!

Habit in the Present: Describing Your Daily Routines

The most common and straightforward way to talk about present habits is using the Present Simple tense. We use the Present Simple for actions that happen regularly, repeatedly, or habitually.

Using the Present Simple for Present Habits

The structure is simple: Subject + Base Verb (or Verb + -s/-es for he/she/it).

Here are some examples:

• I drink coffee every morning. (Daily habit)
• She goes to yoga twice a week. (Weekly habit)
• They usually eat dinner at 7 pm. (Regular routine)
• He never watches TV on weekdays. (Consistent habit – negative)

We often use adverbs of frequency like always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never, every day, once a week, twice a month, etc., with the Present Simple to make the habit clearer.

Examples with adverbs of frequency:

• I always brush my teeth before bed.
• She often goes for a walk in the park.
• They sometimes eat out on Fridays.
• He rarely drinks soda.

The Present Simple is your go-to tense for describing your current habits and routines. It’s fundamental for spoken English practice and everyday conversations.

Habit in the Past: Talking About What You Used to Do

Now, let’s move to the past. When we want to talk about habits we had in the past but no longer have, we use specific grammatical structures. The most common are “used to” and “would”. While both express past habits, there are slight differences in their usage.

“Used to” for Past Habits: No Longer True

“Used to” is used to describe past habits that are now finished. It emphasizes that the action was habitual in the past, but it is not a habit anymore.

The structure is: Subject + used to + Base Verb

Here are some examples:

• I used to play football every day after school. (But I don’t play football regularly now)
• She used to live in London. (But she doesn’t live in London anymore)
• They used to go to the beach every summer. (But they don’t go anymore, or not as often)
• He used to smoke cigarettes. (But he has quit smoking now)

Notice how “used to” always implies a contrast with the present. It tells us about a past routine that is no longer part of someone’s life. This is very important for describing changes and past experiences in spoken English.

“Would” for Past Habits: Recalling Typical Past Behavior

“Would” (followed by the base verb) is another way to talk about past habits, but it’s often used in a slightly different context. “Would” is typically used to describe typical behaviors or routines in the past, especially in stories or when reminiscing about the past. It often creates a sense of nostalgia or paints a picture of past life.

The structure is: Subject + would + Base Verb

Here are some examples:

• When I was a child, I would spend hours playing in the garden. (Describing typical childhood behavior)
• Every summer, we would visit our grandparents in the countryside. (Describing a regular summer routine)
• In the evenings, my grandfather would tell us stories by the fireplace. (Describing a typical evening routine)
• Before smartphones, people would actually talk to each other more on public transport. (Contrasting past behavior with the present)

Important differences between “used to” and “would”:

• “Used to” can describe both actions and states in the past. For example: “I used to live in a small town.” (state) and “I used to play the piano.” (action).
• “Would” primarily describes repeated actions or typical behaviors in the past. It is generally not used for past states. We don’t usually say “I would live in London.” to mean a past state of living.
• “Used to” is more common and versatile for general past habits. “Would” often sounds more literary or narrative, and is great for storytelling and painting a picture of the past.

For practical spoken English, both “used to” and “would” are valuable tools. Understanding their nuances will make your English sound more natural and expressive.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even at a B2 level, learners sometimes make mistakes when talking about habits. Here are a few common errors to watch out for:

• Incorrect tense with “used to”: Make sure to use the base verb after “used to.” Avoid mistakes like “I used to playing…” or “I used to played…”. It’s always “used to + base verb.”
• Overusing “would” for all past habits: Remember that “would” is best for describing typical behaviors and routines, especially in narratives. For simple statements about past habits that are no longer true, “used to” is often more appropriate.
• Forgetting adverbs of frequency with Present Simple: Adverbs like “always,” “usually,” “often” help clarify the habitual nature of the action in the Present Simple. Use them to make your meaning clearer.
• Mispronunciation of “used to”: The “d” in “used to” is pronounced /d/ not /t/. Listen carefully to native speakers and practice the pronunciation.

Being aware of these common mistakes will help you improve your accuracy and fluency when discussing habits in English.

Let’s Practice!

Now it’s time to put what you’ve learned into practice! Complete the following exercises to test your understanding of habit in the present and the past.

Exercise 1: Present Habits – Fill in the blanks with the Present Simple form of the verb in brackets.

1. I ________ (wake up) at 7 am every day.
2. She ________ (drink) tea with breakfast.
3. They ________ (go) to the gym three times a week.
4. He ________ (not eat) meat. He is a vegetarian.
5. We ________ (usually watch) a movie on Friday nights.

Exercise 2: Past Habits – Rewrite the sentences using “used to” or “would” to describe past habits.

1. When I was younger, I played video games every day. (Use “used to”)
2. Every winter, they went skiing in the mountains. (Use “would”)
3. She lived in Italy for five years, but now she lives in Spain. (Use “used to”)
4. He smoked a lot, but he quit last year. (Use “used to”)
5. As children, we visited our grandparents every weekend. (Use “would”)

Exercise 3: Choose the best option – “used to” or “would” – to complete the sentences.

1. My grandfather ________ tell me stories about his childhood. (used to / would)
2. I ________ hate vegetables when I was a child, but now I love them. (used to / would)
3. Every Christmas, we ________ decorate the tree together. (used to / would)
4. She ________ have long hair, but she cut it short last year. (used to / would)
5. When we lived by the sea, we ________ swim in the ocean every morning. (used to / would)

Answers to Exercises:

Exercise 1 Answers:

1. wake up
2. drinks
3. go
4. doesn’t eat
5. usually watch

Exercise 2 Answers:

1. When I was younger, I used to play video games every day.
2. Every winter, they would go skiing in the mountains.
3. She used to live in Italy.
4. He used to smoke a lot.
5. As children, we would visit our grandparents every weekend.

Exercise 3 Answers:

1. My grandfather would tell me stories about his childhood. (Would is better here for a typical past behavior in storytelling)
2. I used to hate vegetables when I was a child, but now I love them. (Used to is better for a past state/feeling that is no longer true)
3. Every Christmas, we would decorate the tree together. (Would is good for a repeated holiday tradition)
4. She used to have long hair, but she cut it short last year. (Used to is better for a past state of having long hair that is no longer the case)
5. When we lived by the sea, we would swim in the ocean every morning. (Would is suitable for a daily routine in a specific past period)

Conclusion: Practice Makes Perfect!

Congratulations on completing this lesson on habit in the present and the past! You’ve learned how to use the Present Simple, “used to,” and “would” to effectively describe your routines and past habits. Remember, consistent spoken English practice is key to mastering these grammar points and improving your overall fluency.

To further enhance your English grammar skills and gain confidence in speaking, we encourage you to check out Lingofrnd.com. Lingofrnd is your AI spoken English teacher, ready to help you practice these grammar concepts and many more in real conversations. It’s a fantastic tool to solidify your understanding of “used to”, “would”, and present habits, and boost your spoken English practice.

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