Grammar Reference

Unit 1 USED TO AND WOULD

PAST PERFECT SIMPLE AND We can use both used to and would + infinitive to
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS speak about past habits and typical behaviours or
actions which were often repeated in the past:
Past perfect simple: had + past participle When I was a student I would / used to go to bed
really late at night, and then I would / used to have
• To
 indicate that an action took place before trouble waking up in the morning. At the weekend,
another action in the past: I wouldn’t / didn’t use to get up before noon.
I had removed my tattoos when I started playing 
• Would is more common than used to when we are
football (first I removed my tattoos and then I started telling stories or describing events from the past:
playing football).* On Sundays, I would ask my father if I could borrow
When she got home, she was out of cigarettes. his car, but he would always say no. He’d ask me
She had smoked more than ten that evening. to drive my mother to church, but he wouldn’t let
me take the car out on my own in the evening.
Past perfect continuous: had been + -ing • We
 generally use used to (but not would) to speak
about past states or stable situations in the past
• To
 indicate that an action started and still (e.g. residence or occupation), and with stative
continued at a given point in the past: verbs (i.e. verbs not used in the continuous form):
She had been suffering abuse for many years She used to be a famous actress. Now, very few
before she decided to go to the police. people remember her.
He had been playing football in prison for We used to live in Dublin.
several months when the football team found He didn’t use to work from home.
out about him.
I didn’t use to like vegetables, but now I love them.
 is often used to emphasise the fact that the
• It
action was repeated many times or lasted for a
long time:
She had been smoking too much over the past EXPRESSIONS OF ADVICE
few years, and she felt terribly out of shape.
They had been dreaming of buying a new house Imperative forms
for years, but it was still a dream. Consider taking a training course.
*Compare with I removed my tattoos when I started playing Do take your friends’ advice into consideration.
football (first I started playing football, and then I removed
my tattoos). 
To give more emphasis, you can start the
sentence with whatever you do.
ON / BEFORE / AFTER + VERB -ING Whatever you do, try to keep things in perspective.
On*+ verb -ing = when + subject + past simple Whatever you do, don’t apply for any more
credit cards.
It indicates that something happened immediately
after or as a result of an action. Modal verbs and have to
On realising / When he realised that people Strong
paid more attention to him with the cat, have to / need to / must
he started carrying it on his shoulder as he should / ought to
played music.
could
*Sometimes upon, in more formal or literary contexts. may
might
Before + verb -ing = before + subject Mild
+ past simple
You have to be patient in these situations.
Before becoming / Before he became an actor, You must / need to be honest with yourself.
he was homeless.
Parents should / ought to be supportive.
After + verb -ing = after + subject + We shouldn’t jump to conclusions here.
past simple / past perfect She could try to limit the number of credit cards
she has.
After accusing him / After they accused /
He may find a self-help book useful.
had accused him of being obsessed with
computer games, his parents realised he had a They might want to consult a psychologist.
special talent for programming.
B2.4
Subject + had / ’d better (not) + infinitive Have you thought of / considered + -ing?
You’d better do something about it before it’s Have you thought of / considered hiring a
too late. professional to help you?
She’d better not start ordering things on the
Internet.
EXPRESSING REASSURANCE
If I were you, I would / ’d + infinitive
Here are some useful expressions to comfort people
If I were you, I’d start sorting out what is really when they are feeling worried:
important and what you can throw away.
Don’t worry.
You’ll be all right.
How / What about + -ing?
Come on.
How / What about writing a list of all your
Cheer up.
options?
It’s probably not as bad as you think.
Why don’t you + infinitive? I’m sure everything will be / turn out all right
(in the end).
Why don’t you ask a friend to help you? You’ll / It’ll be fine.
There’s no need to worry.
The sooner + subject + verb, the better It isn’t as bad as all that.
The sooner you start, the better.