1. Complete the dialogue with the correct form of used to (affirmative, negative or interrogative).
Brandon You see that house on the corner? My dad 1…………………… live there with his parents.
Millie Really? It’s huge! 2…………………… your family …………………… be rich?
Brandon I suppose so. My grandparents 3…………………… run a department store.
Millie 4…………………… there …………………… be a department store in this town?
Brandon Yes. But it closed twenty years ago.
Millie Why did it close?
Brandon I don’t know. My grandparents 5…………………… talk about it very much.
Answer
1 used to 2 Did (your family) use to 3 used to
4 Did (there) use to 5 didn’t use to
2. Replace used to with would in these sentences, where possible.
1 My grandfather never used to go out without a hat.
………………………………………….
2 We used to live in Washington, D.C.
………………………………………….
3 I used to go to the sweet shop every afternoon.
………………………………………….
4 We didn’t use to talk our parents about school.
………………………………………….
5 When Harriet was young, she used to go dancing every night.
………………………………………….
6 Our dog used to be scared of cats.
………………………………………….
Answer
1 My grandfather would never go out without a hat.
2 I would go to the sweet shop every afternoon.
3 We wouldn’t talk to our parents about school.
4 When Harriet was young, she would go dancing every night.
3. Choose the correct answers.
1 I practise the guitar every day, but …………………… .
a didn’t use to b wouldn’t c used to
2 Joe hates eggs, but he …………………… them.
a would like b used to like c didn’t like
3 When Elsie was young, she …………………… ballet lessons twice a week for ten years.
a ‘d go to b used to go to c went to
4 I don’t let my dog in my room now because it …………………… stop jumping on my bed.
a wouldn’t b didn’t use to c would
5 My neighbour …………………… Adele’s piano teacher.
a ‘d be b would be c used to be
6 I love Mr Bean now, but I …………………… him funny.
a wouldn’t find b never used to find c didn’t find
Answer
1 a 2 b 3 c 4 a 5 c 6 b
4. Complete the sentences to suggest criticism using would and a verb from the box.
|
have insist leave run spend |
1 I warmed her not to swim in that river, but she …………………… on doing it.
2 I didn’t want to complain about my neighbours, but they …………………… such noisy parties.
3 It’s hardly surprising she failed her exams – she …………………… so much time reading magazines.
4 I spent weeks trying to train my dog, but it …………………… off whenever we went out.
5 My grandfather was so vain! In spite of his poor eyesight, he …………………… the house without his glasses.
Answer
1 would insist 2 would have 3 would spend
4 would run 5 would leave
Challenge!
Write six sentences about your childhood. Include the words in brackets.
1 ……………………………………… (used to)
2 ……………………………………… (would never)
3 ……………………………………… (didn’t use to)
4 ……………………………………… (would)
5 ……………………………………… (never used to)
6 ……………………………………… (wouldn’t)
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