Episode 9: Past simple vs used to vs would: repetitions and comparison with now )
(Photo by Johnny Cohen )
We talk about the past all the time; it is was has formed our character and beliefs. Of course, we are all the time trying to become better people, right? Right?!
Anyway, things that we have experienced, things we used to do, and how we would spend our time have made us who we are now. Personally, I am very interested in hearing people’s stories. It helps me understand them better, and if they are my students, it gives me material to make it easier for them to learn.
Would you like to hear a bit of mine? Would you like to share your story with me? Let’s learn how with this episode.
Episode transcript
Hello! You came back! Make yourself at home, have a seat. Relax your shoulders, relax your jaw, and take that deep breath. This will be easy, I promise!
Happy you are here, everyone! This is English Airs, the podcast that will give you effortless accuracy. I am Parya, an English instructor, and some other things, and currently based in Tokyo. Today, we are going to look at the past and get nostalgic. Or maybe look back and sigh with relief that it is, in fact, past! Ready? Let’s go!
I want to start by telling you a little about my childhood. I used to live in a big, busy city, and it was not very safe, so when I was a kid I didn’t really play outside. Every day, I would go straight home and do my homework. My best friend was a girl who transferred (happened only once) in the middle of the year to our school. Since she was behind, we used to study together. We would study, and then start talking. We used to tell each other everything!
Pretty ordinary, right? Well, I left out the not-so-ordinary parts for later. But first, I want to ask you a few questions. Just thinking about the answer is enough, but if you are sitting down, you can make a list.
Which one of the things I told you happened only once?
Which ones happened (or didn’t happen) repeatedly?
Which ones were true in the past, but it’s different now?
and the most important question:
When am I talking about?
Very well done! That’s right: My friend transferred only once. Going home, doing homework, studying, and starting to talk all repeated day in, day out. And now, I don’t live there anymore, we don’t study together anymore, and since we have lost touch, we don’t tell each other everything anymore. And yes, that was all about my childhood. You and I both knew that, because I told you.
Now let’s break it down. If you and I both have a time reference, we have a lot of options. Maybe we want to emphasize that we did something regularly or repeatedly in the past. What structure do you use for that? That’s right: would. You might say, hey! We can also say “used to” can’t we? I would answer sure. you can. But maybe we want to say it was true in the past or happened then, but not now. In that case, what do we need? Right again: used to. And finally, if something happened only once, our only option is… yes! Past simple! Great job everyone! Remember that we can use past simple for all the other situations, too, but why be so boring?
Today we are working on three different structures, so I am going to give you a bit of time to make examples of each, and then we will put everything together, ok? Here we go: Think about your daily life as a child and think of two things you would do. Something like “I would wake up at 6 o’clock every day.”
Great! Now add two other things that are not true any more, like something that you did and something about your appearance. For example, “I used to play badminton at school“, and “I used to have long hair.”
OK! Finally, add one event that happened only once. Like “I came 3rd in a badminton tournament, but only because everyone else was terrible!“
Ok, then! You have your ideas? Put all of them together and tell me a little about your childhood! I am listening.
Fantastic! Now on to practicing it on your own. What to put on the reminder? Three questions:
“How am I different from 15 years ago?” (Remember to practice with “used to”)
“What was my routine like 10 years ago?” (Remember to practice with “would”)
“What good thing happened last month?” (Remember to practice with Past simple)
Make sure you include “good” because we don’t want to get depressed now, do we? As always, set the timer for when you have one or two minutes to think and answer. You will be saying about 3 sentences, so isn’t that more than enough? But, if you do it every day, think of how much you will be speaking!
Don’t forget: the transcript has extra explanations and as always it is color-coded, so it will be easier to remember. Plus, Julia Roberts shows you how to perfectly use all three structures! Take a look! And keep an eye on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter to get reminders, questions, and to get answers to your questions.
I always love to hear comments or questions, so feel free to say or ask anything. Also, please keep telling people who might need this podcast about it. As you know, I would like to help anyone I can, with your help!
Parya out!
Do the exercises here and here to get some more practice.
Things not clear? Leave a comment under this post, or ask me.