HABITUAL BEHAVIOUR IN PRESENT
- A. PRESENT SIMPLE
·
ADVERBS OF FREQUENCY
1. Before
the main verb:
Example: I always go to bed before midnight.
2. After
the verb to be or an auxiliary verb:
Example: She
is very often late for work.
They have
rarely been seen together.
3. usually, normally, frequently, sometimes,
(very/quite) often and occasionally
can also be placed at the beginning of the sentence or clause:
Example: Occasionally we go out to the
cinema, but usually we stay in and watch a video.
NOTE: always, rarely, seldom, hardly ever, and never can not be used in the same
way.
Variations
1. The present continuous + always /
CONSTANTLY (ANNOYING)
Example: He is always complaining about something!
2. Adjectives
can be used as an alternative to rarely, normally and (not) usually.
Example: It is rare/normal/(un)usual for him to eat meat.
2.1. You can also use the following structure:
It’s not LIKE
HIM to be late. (unusual behaviour).
3. Tend to + infinitive:
Example: British people tend to drink tea rather than coffee.
4. Will + infinitive
Example: She will sometimes spend the whole day reading.
5. Keep (on) + ING: repeated actions, often
annoying ones.
Example: Peter keeps on hitting me.
HABITUAL BEHAVIOUR IN PAST
·
USED
TO + INFINITIVE :
o PAST ACTIONS
o
PAST
STATES
·
WOULD
+ INFINITIVE :
o
PAST
ACTIONS
When I was little I USED TO go
to the park with my cousins.
When I was little I WOULD go
to the park with my cousins.
BUT!
When I was little I USED TO be
overweight. STATE
When I was little I WOULD
be overweight.
USED TO + INF
BE USED TO + -ING
GET USED TO + -ING
