Grammar Rules: Past Habits, Adverbs, Obligation, Comparison

Used to vs. Would

To talk about habits and continuous actions in the past, we can use used to or would.

• We use used to with both action and stative verbs.
• We only use would with action verbs.
• We use both would and used to with repeated actions.

Adverbs and Adverbial Phrases

We often form adverbial phrases with:

• in a/an + noun/adjective + way
• with/without + noun/adjective

Obligation, Permission, and Prohibition

To express obligation or necessity, we can use have to or must. To say something is (or isn't) a good idea, we can use should. To express no obligation or necessity, we can use don't have to or don't need to. To express permission, we can use let, and to say that something is not permitted, we use not to be allowed to.

Necessity: Didn't Have To, Didn't Need To, Needn't Have

When we use didn't have to, it means that someone did something, but in fact, it wasn't necessary. When we use didn't need to, it often means that someone didn't do something because it wasn't necessary. Needn't have can have either meaning.

Comparatives

• Use a lot/far/much + comparative to make a comparative stronger.
• Use just as/not nearly as/nowhere near as + adjective + as to intensify a comparison.

• Use comparative and comparative + short adjectives, e.g., hotter and hotter, to talk about how something or someone is changing and increasing in an adjective. Use more and more + longer adjectives, e.g., more and more interesting.

• Use the + comparative/the + comparative with short adjectives or the more + adjective/the more + adjective + clause with a long adjective to show how two events affect each other.

Linkers of Contrast

To contrast ideas and facts, we use these linking words: although, even though, however, despite, in spite of, and nevertheless.

1. Despite and In Spite Of

Despite and in spite of are followed by a noun phrase or a gerund. They can be used at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence.

2. Although and Even Though

Although and even though are followed by a full clause. They can be used at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence.

3. However and Nevertheless

However and nevertheless introduce the contrasting idea and come at the beginning of a new sentence. They are followed by a comma.