used to, would/ How far How long/common mistakes
Used to VS Would
How far / How long
Common Grammar Mistakes
Used to VS Would
used to , would=past
point
used to : Past action, Past state
※used to be : past state
would : Past state repeated past actions.
＃ I used to play basketball everyday
base form
＃When I was young I would play football.
＃We didn`t use to watch TV.
=We would not watch TV.
＃When I was in college my mom would call me daily.
=When I was in college my mom used to call me daily.
I used to be an Engineer, but now I am a editor.
past state
I would be an Engineer, but now I am a teacher.
→✕ = I used to be an Engineer, but now I am a teacher.
Past state, Past action only used to
I would like rock music, but now I like jazz.
↓
○ I used to like music, but now I like jazz.
How far / How long?
How far = distance
# How far is your office?
km/mile/whatever
E.g.) My office is about 10 kms away from my home.
# How far is the cinema?
E.g) It`s just 3 kms.
#How far will you drive to reach the station?
=It`s about 10 kms.
# How far would you go to convince Mary to marry you?
→the extent you go to
How long?
amount at time it takes
# How long have you been waiting?
# How long is the movie?
# How long will it take to reach the station?
=how much time?
# How long are you going to wait for her answer?
common Grammar mistakes
#I wore a jeans. ✕
I wore jeans.
I wore a pair of jeans.
She`s wearing glasses.
I bought a pair of shorts at the mall.
There`s a pair of scissors on my desk.
I have two pairs of white pants.
# he loves team sports as soccer.✕
He loves team sports such as soccer.
He loves team sports like soccer.
when giving an example, use such as or like(more informal)
# I worked a lot in last month.✕
We`ll meet on next Monday.✕
I worked a lot last month.
We`ll meet next Monday.
# It was so long time ago.✕
It was so long ago.
It was such a long time ago.
So + adj/adv
such + adj + noun
She`s so friendly. friendly is adj
This sandwich is so good. good is adj
He works so hard. hard is adv
Such a + adj + noun
She`s such a friendly person.
This is such a good sandwich.
He has such a demanding job.
# I lent to him some money.✕
I lent him some money.
I lent some money to him.
verb + indirect obj. + direct obj.
verb + direct obj. + to + indirect obj.
Roller coaster make me to feel sick.✕
Roller coaster make me feel sick.
Our boss does`nt let us leave work early.
My mom makes me clean my room.
I`ll have my assistant call you later today.
# You stopped me make a mistake.✕
You stopped me from making a mistake.
