DESCRIBING HABITUAL ACTIONS&USED TO

1.Habitual actions in the present

a)      The present simple

This is the usual way of expressing present habitual actions.

When I have money I go on a spending spree.

The present simple is also used for permanent situations.

My cousin who is very tall plays basketball.

b)  tend to

     The verb tend to +infinitive refers to usual or generally  

       occurring actions.

      She tends to go to bed very early.

c)      other ways of expressing habitual actions in the present.

-Present continuous +always

 It is mainly used to express repeated actions which the speaker finds annoying or irritating .

 You  are always taking my clothes!

I’m always putting on weight after Christmas!

-Will +infinitive

 This construction is sometimes used instead of the present simple to refer to behaviour  which is typical of a particular person.

 He’ll sit for hours playing computer games.

 -Keep +   - ing

Used to express accidental or annoying  actions

 I keep losing my glasses!

2. Habitual actions in the past

a)      The past simple

When a past simple verb refers to habitual or repeated action it can be accompanied by an expression of frequency.

When I was a student t, I usually studied at nights.

b)Used to +infinitive

We use this expression to talk about past actions which no longer happen.

When I was a teenager I used to take dancing classes.

It can refer to the actions which didn’t happen in the past, but happen now

Some people say I spoil my children,  but when I was a child my  parents didn’t use to have money to buy me what I wanted.

We never used to go on holiday by plane.

Used to doesn’t need adverbs of frequency, although they are sometimes included for emphasis.

I always used to fight for my rights at school.

c)Would + infinitive

To express habitual past actions.

Avoid using would in questions and negative sentences. Its meaning can be completely different.

My grandmother was an actress and each time she could, she would take me at the backstage of the theatre. 

d)The difference between used to and would

Used to refers to permanent situation and habitual actions as well.

When I was a child I used to be very naughty

Would can only refer to actions,not situations.

You can say :I’d catch the 7.45 train to London

You can’t say: I’d be very beautiful when I was young.

USED TO

a)used to +infinitive

Habitual past actions(go to 2b)

b)to be used to+ -ing

This means to be accustomed to

I am used to getting up early in the morning

c)to get used to+ -ing

This means to become accustomed to , often to something strange and unusual

If you become famous ,you will have to get used to talking in public..