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Musicgold Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

What we used to do...

Hi,



I am not sure about the choice between is and was in the following sentences. I found both types of sentences on the net. Can anybody please explain the difference a choice would make?



1. What we used to do is / was he would send me an empty carton and I would decorate it and send it back to him.



2. What we used to do is/was to watch R-rated movies after everybody has gone to bed.



3. What we used to do is/was to go swimming in the night after a hard day at work.



Thanks,



MG.
  

Top answer

With these pseudo-clefts it's a matter of preference. I prefer was in these because used to indicates past time. is also works.

— CalifJim

  • With these pseudo-clefts it's a matter of preference.
  • I prefer was in these because used to indicates past time.
  • is also works.
  • The structure of the first one, by the way, is only good in casual styles.
  • To be technically correct you would split it into two sentences.
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4 Answers
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With these pseudo-clefts it's a matter of preference. I prefer was in these because used to indicates past time. is also works. The structure of the first one, by the way, is only good in casual styles. To be technically correct you would split it into two sentences.

What we used to do was (is) this. He would ....

CJ
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2. What we used to do is/was to watch R-rated movies after everybody had gone to bed.
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canadian452. What we used to do is/was to watch R-rated movies after everybody had gone to bed.

'...after everybody else had gone...' is most correct.
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