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The habitual past is a grammar structure that allows us to talk about actions that happened regularly or repeatedly in the past but no longer occur. We can also use it to describe states of being that were once a reality but aren't true anymore.
The habitual past is perfect for reminiscing about our childhood or describing how life used to be. It is quite easy to form, and English speakers often use it to talk about past routines and habits.
How to form the habitual past
In the habitual past, either "used to" or "would" is followed by the base form of the main verb.
1. used to + base verb
- Elizabeth used to be very thin, but she has recently gained a lot of weight.
2. would + base verb
- Before my husband and I had children, we would sleep in on the weekends.
Used to
"Used to" is a versatile phrase for the habitual past. It works with both actions and states.
- Action: She used to ride her bike to school every day.
- State: We used to live in a small village.
Note
The negative form of "used to" is "did not use to" or "never used to." The question form is "Did (you) use to...?"
Examples:
- Negative: I didn’t use to like vegetables when I was a kid. / I never used to bring my own bag to the grocery store.
- Question: Did you use to have a pet?
Would
"Would" is often paired with specific time markers and is used to describe repeated actions in the past. However, unlike "used to," it is never used with states of being.
- On Sundays, my grandfather would tell us stories by the fire.
- Every winter, we would build a snowman in the backyard.
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Mixing "used to" and present habits: "Used to" is only used for the past. To describe present habits, words like "usually" or "tend to" are more appropriate.
- I used to go jogging every morning. (if it’s still happening now)
- I usually go jogging every morning.
2. Overusing "would": As mentioned earlier, "would" cannot describe states.
- She would own a bakery in her hometown.
- She used to own a bakery in her hometown.
Why is the habitual past important?
Understanding and using the habitual past allows speakers to:
1. Tell engaging stories: It helps listeners imagine repeated events or routines.
- When we were teenagers, we used to stay up all night talking about our dreams.
- Every evening, we would sit on the porch and watch the sunset.
2. Show contrast: It emphasizes how life has changed over time.
- I used to have so much free time before I started this job.
- This neighborhood used to be dangerous at night, but the city installed street lights last year and crime has decreased significantly.
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