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  • Stop Saying from bbclearningenglish.com.

  • Hi, I'm Melissa and I come from Milan.

  • I love 'used to' in English. It's so useful for talking about things I did but don't do anymore.

  • Like, I used to play tennis.

  • But are there other ways of saying 'used to'?

  • I want to stop saying 'used to' so much .

  • 'Used to'. Now that is a really good question.

  • Would you like me to give you an alternative to 'use to'? Would you? 'Would you'? Get it?

  • Would you?

  • Right. Well, perhaps I'll just explain then. Come on, follow me.

  • But first I'd like you to meet younger Tim.

  • I play football every day.

  • I get up at 7 am. I run to the park with my ball and I practice free kicks until nighttime.

  • That was me about ten years ago ish.

  • I would play football every day.

  • I'd get up at 7 am. I'd run to the park with my ball and I'd practice free kicks until nighttime.

  • Not anymore.

  • Ah. But did you notice what I did there?

  • I 'would' play football every day.

  • 'I'd' get up at 7 am. 'I'd' run to the park with my ball and 'I'd' practice free kicks until nighttime.

  • We can use 'would' to talk about past actions that we did on a number of occasions.

  • Alright, now, is it time for my cigarette break now?

  • I don't think that's a good idea, do you, Tim?

  • I love football and sport and being fit and healthy.

  • I hate smoking and I hate drinking alcohol.

  • Mm... that's true. I used to be very fit and healthy.

  • What went wrong?

  • Ah, yes.

  • Now we need to be careful here.

  • Although we can use 'would' instead of 'used to' to talk about past repeated actions, we can't use it to talk about past states.

  • We can't say I would be very fit and healthy.

  • We need 'used to'. I used to be very fit and healthy.

  • Now what's got two thumbs and is about to drink a beer.

  • This bad boy.

  • Woof.

  • Sorry, Tim. I don't think that's gonna happen.

  • We've talked about this, haven't we?

  • Thought I was going to drink that.

  • Thank you.

  • Yes, I hate smoking and I hate drinking alcohol and I hate junk food.

  • Wow, I really was a health fanatic.

  • I ate fruit and I never had junk food.

  • Now you'll notice that I used past simple there.

  • I really 'was' a health fanatic.

  • I 'ate' fruit.

  • Don't forget you can use past simple to talk about past repeated actions.

  • You don't have to use 'used to' or 'would' every time.

  • So there we go.

  • I hope that's answered your question.

  • If you don't want to use 'used to' so much, you can use 'would' to talk about past repeated actions but not states.

  • And you can always use past simple to add a bit of variety.

  • Now I've been looking forward to this chips.

  • Sorry, Tim. (I) can't let you have those.

  • Thanks, Tim. That's very clear.

  • And I think you used to be much healthier.

  • Give up the cigarettes, beer and chips.

Stop Saying from bbclearningenglish.com.

Subtitles and vocabulary

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A2 play football football nighttime fanatic repeated healthy

Past habits without 'used to': Stop Saying

  • 26 1
    林宜悉 posted on 2022/09/22
Video vocabulary

Keywords

alternative

US /ɔlˈtɚnətɪv, æl-/

・

UK /ɔ:lˈtɜ:nətɪv/

  • adjective
  • A different choice
  • noun
  • Something different you can choose

A2 TOEIC

More
practice

US /ˈpræktɪs/

・

UK /'præktɪs/

  • other
  • To carry out or perform (a particular activity, method, or custom) habitually or regularly.
  • To carry out or perform (a particular activity, method, or custom) habitually or regularly.
  • To perform an activity or exercise a skill repeatedly in order to improve or maintain proficiency.
  • To perform (an activity) or exercise (a skill) repeatedly or regularly in order to improve or maintain one's proficiency.
  • To do something repeatedly so as to become skilled at it.
  • noun
  • A customary way of doing something.
  • A usual or customary action or proceeding.
  • A doctor's or lawyer's business.
  • Repeated exercise in or performance of an activity or skill so as to acquire or maintain proficiency in it.
  • The customary, habitual, or expected procedure or way of doing of something.
  • The office and place for legal or medical work
  • Doing something many times to become better at it
  • other
  • A customary way of doing something.
  • The business or work of a professional person, such as a doctor or lawyer.
  • other
  • The customary, habitual, or expected procedure or way of doing something.
  • Repeated exercise of an activity or skill in order to improve or maintain proficiency.
  • Repeated exercise in or performance of an activity or skill so as to acquire or maintain proficiency in it.
  • Repeated exercise in or performance of an activity or skill so as to acquire or maintain proficiency in it.
  • other
  • Work at or be engaged in (a profession).
  • verb
  • To perform an activity or exercise a skill repeatedly or regularly in order to improve or maintain one's proficiency.
  • To work as a doctor or lawyer
  • To live according to the teachings of a religion
  • To do something many times to improve a skill

A2 TOEIC

More
variety

US /vəˈraɪɪti/

・

UK /və'raɪətɪ/

  • noun
  • A collection of different things; an assortment.
  • A number of different kinds of things, especially ones in the same general category.
  • A form of entertainment consisting of a series of different acts, such as musical performances, comedy sketches, and dances.
  • A rank in the classification of organisms below the level of subspecies.
  • A form of a language that is spoken in a particular area or by a particular group of people.
  • A range of things from which a choice may be made.
  • A particular type of something within a larger category.
  • Particular type of thing or person
  • other
  • The quality or state of being different or diverse; the absence of uniformity, sameness, or monotony.
  • The quality of being diverse or different, making life more interesting.
  • other
  • The quality or state of being diverse or different; a number of different kinds of things or people.
  • Entertainment consisting of a series of short performances, such as singing, dancing, and comedy.

A2 TOEIC

More
bit

US /bɪt/

・

UK /bɪt/

  • noun
  • A former coin worth 12.5 cents.
  • The basic unit of information in computing.
  • The basic unit of information in computing, representing a binary digit (0 or 1).
  • A mouthful of food.
  • Device put in a horse's mouth to control it
  • A particular thing or experience.
  • A person's contribution to an effort.
  • Small piece of something
  • A short period of time.
  • A very small amount of money.
  • A small piece or amount of something.
  • A small acting role or part in a performance.
  • The part of a tool that cuts or bores.
  • other
  • To do one's part.
  • Not at all.
  • verb
  • Past tense of 'bite'.
  • (E.g. of fish) to take bait and be caught
  • adverb
  • Slightly; somewhat.

A1

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explain

US /ɪkˈsplen/

・

UK /ɪk'spleɪn/

  • verb
  • To make clear or easy to understand by describing
  • other
  • To be the reason for or cause of something.
  • To make something clear or easy to understand
  • To give a reason for something.
  • To make something clear or easy to understand by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts.
  • other
  • To give the meaning of something

A1 TOEIC

More
alcohol

US /ˈælkəˌhɔl,-ˌhɑl/

・

UK /'ælkəhɒl/

  • other
  • A colorless volatile flammable liquid produced by the natural fermentation of sugars; also the intoxicating ingredient of wine, beer, and other drinks.
  • Any organic compound whose molecule contains one or more hydroxyl groups attached to a carbon atom.
  • noun
  • A colorless liquid that can catch fire (C2H5OH)
  • Drinks such as wine, whiskey, beer

B1

More
break

US /brek/

・

UK /breɪk/

  • verb
  • To create a new record e.g. running the 100m dash
  • To form a crack in something
  • To burst or become damaged
  • To end a relationship
  • To escape from a place such as a jail
  • To train a wild animal e.g. a horse
  • To separate into pieces by force, or by dropping
  • To act against a law, rule, or promise
  • To become known suddenly, as in the news
  • To not do what you promised e.g. not keep promises
  • To solve a crime, or answer a problem
  • To stop functioning properly
  • To suddenly start, open or commence
  • To change in pitch suddenly, as in a voice
  • To fall on the shore, as in waves
  • To begin or change suddenly; the dawn or weather
  • To defeat by causing the person to lose their will
  • noun
  • Time you stop an activity before continuing
  • End of a relationship
  • An escape from a place such as a jail
  • (Lucky) advantage or benefit from something
  • A lucky opportunity.
  • A pause in activity; a rest.
  • Find a solution or answer to a problem or crime
  • Change in the weather
  • other
  • To stop functioning.
  • To enter a building illegally, typically by force.
  • To start suddenly.
  • To escape.
  • To become known; to be revealed.
  • To interrupt an activity for a rest.
  • To separate into pieces; to fracture or shatter.
  • other
  • To put an end to.
  • To reveal or disclose (news or information).
  • To separate into pieces; to fracture or shatter.
  • To fail to observe the terms of (a law, promise, or agreement).

A1 TOEIC

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fit

US /fɪt/

・

UK /fɪt/

  • noun
  • A sudden outburst of strong emotion, especially anger.
  • Sudden loss of body control; attack (of crying)
  • A sudden attack of illness, especially a convulsion or seizure.
  • The way something, especially a garment, fits.
  • adjective
  • Good looking; physically attractive
  • Having good physical health and strength
  • In good physical condition; healthy and strong.
  • Proper or acceptable; morally or socially correct
  • other
  • To be in good physical condition.
  • To be the correct size or shape.
  • verb
  • To install a machine, equipment etc.
  • To adjust or change to the right size or shape
  • To be the right size and shape that you want
  • other
  • To be in agreement or harmony with.
  • To put something into place; to prepare something for use.
  • To be of the right size or shape.

A2

More
junk

US /dʒʌŋk/

・

UK /dʒʌŋk/

  • noun
  • Something that is old, useless, or has no value
  • verb
  • To get rid of something because it has no value

B1

More
notice

US /ˈnotɪs/

・

UK /'nəʊtɪs/

  • noun
  • A written or printed announcement or warning.
  • Formal notification of intention to end a contract of employment.
  • Time by when you must leave, e.g. if you are fired
  • Paper with an announcement, e.g. pinned to a board
  • Advance notification of intention to end an agreement or employment.
  • verb
  • To become aware by sight, touch, or hearing
  • To become aware of (something).
  • other
  • To pay attention
  • other
  • To become aware of (something) by seeing, hearing, or feeling it.

A1 TOEIC

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