ISE II (B2): Talking about past habits in English

To talk about past habits in English, we generally use two structures: used to and would. In this post, we are going to see how do we use them and the difference between these two structures:

USED TO + infinitive (negation: did not use to + infinitive/ questions: did + subject+use to…?)

Meaning 1: We use it to talk about something that we often did in the past but we do not do anymore

Ex: I used to play tennis a lot, but I don’t play very often now (= I played tennis in the past but I don’t do it anymore)

In this sense, we can substitute used to by would. Usually, when we are telling a story about past habits, we start with used to and continue with would.

Meaning 2: we use to talk about a state that lasted for some time in the past.

Ex: We used to live in a small village (= this was true in the past, but is not true in the present)

In this sense, we cannot substitute used to by would.

If you click in the following link, you can download more detailed theory about used to and would and some exercises to practise (source: English Grammar in Use, by Raymond Murphy). 

Theory + Exercises

ISE: Is the expression "I hope your answer" in a letter or email correct?

Usually, in your emails and letters you use a lot the expression “I hope your answer”. I told you that this expression is not correct in English but some of you said that other teachers told you it was correct.

Well, I’ve been investigating the topic and this is what I’ve found. I hope that it is useful for you:

“ "I hope your answer" is definitely bad English. "Hope" as a verb usually takes the preposition "for" when it's followed by a noun (as, for example, answer). (The farmers are hoping FOR rain. Jack is hoping FOR a pay increase. etc).
I hope FOR you answer is thus better -- although still not optimal. I might suggest here a better fit might be "I await your answer." or "I'm waiting for your answer" or "I'm looking forward to getting your answer" or, simply, "I want your answer" or even "I need your answer."
The reason is: when we use hope + for + something, it's usually implied that the "something" is desirable. But an "answer" could bring bad news, as well as good -- in other words, you might not get the answer you want! So, if you're going to use "hope for" + "answer" you logically would (likely) say something like "I'm hoping for an affirmative answer" or "I'm hoping for the answer I've always wanted." (or something similar; in another words, "answer" in such a case would probably be modified to explain WHY it's hoped for). ”

Source

 

ISE II (B2): Useful sentences to express agreement and disagreement

Agreeing with an opinion:

We use these words and phrases to agree with someone else's point of view:

• Of course.
• You're absolutely right.
• Yes, I agree.
• I think so too.
• That's a good point.
• Exactly.
• I don't think so either.
• So do I.
• I'd go along with that.
• That's true.
• Neither do I.
• I agree with you entirely.
• That's just what I was thinking.
• I couldn't agree more. 

Disagreeing with an opinion:

We use these words and phrases to disagree with someone else's point of view:

• That's different.
• I don't agree with you.
• However…
• That's not entirely true.
• On the contrary…
• I'm sorry to disagree with you, but…
• Yes, but don't you think…
• That's not the same thing at all.
• I'm afraid I have to disagree.
• I'm not so sure about that.
• I must take issue with you on that.
• It's unjustifiable to say that...

 

ISE II (B2): Reported Speech

It is used to tell something that someone has told before without quoting his words.

Example: Direct speech: “I am tired”

           Indirect speech: He said he was tired

CHANGES:

REPORTING VERBS:

The most usual verbs to introduce reported speech are SAY / TELL.

If we want to communicate the speaker’s intention or the tone which was used, we can used the following verbs:

Affirmations: admit, announce, answer, apologize, boast, claim, complain, declare, explain, inform, insist, mention, offer, remind, reply, state. 
Questions: enquire, request, want to known, wonder.
Orders: ask, demand, order, shout, warn.
Pleas: beg.
Suggestions: advise, invite, recommend, suggest.

 

REPORTING QUESTIONS:
Two types of questions in English:

YES/NO QUESTIONS: are the ones that can be answered with “yes” or “no”. to put these question in reported speech, we used the verb ASK followed by IF or WHETHER. Then, as the question turns into an affirmative, THERE IS NEITHER INVERSION SUBJECT – VERB NOR QUESTION MARK.

Example: 
Direct speech: “Did the contestant win a lot of money?” She said.
Indirect speech: She ASKED IF / WHETHER the contestant had won a lot of money.

WH – QUESTIONS: are the ones that cannot be answered with “yes” or “no”. They begin with an interrogative particle (what, whom where, when, how). To put them these questions in reported speech, we put the INTERROGATIVE PARTICLE instead of if/whether. Then, we put the SUBJECT and the VERB and we do NOT USE QUESTION MARKS.

Example:  
Direct speech: “What is the name of the new show?” Sue asked.
Indirect speech: Sue asked what the name of the new show was.

REPORTED ORDERS, SUGGESTIONS AND REQUESTS:

To put an order, a suggestion or a request in reported speech, we change use an infinitive with to. If we have to use the negative, we put NOT BEFORE THE INFINITIVE.

Example: 
Direct speech: “Stop driving so fast”
Indirect speech: My mother ordered me (not) to stop driving.

If you click on the following link, you can have access to several exercises to practise reported speech:

Exercises