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Haddie Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Would?

One of the uses of would include describing something that used to happen in the past as a habit or a routine. Can it also be used for something that happens like that in the present. As in
"Every time there's a family get together somebody would ask me about my future plans and I wouldn't know what to say"
  

Top answer

If you started with Every time there was a family... usually encourage my students not to use 'would' in this type of situation, at least not until they are very comfortable with using it as a true conditional. The simple past works.

— Philip

  • If you started with Every time there was a family...
  • usually encourage my students not to use 'would' in this type of situation, at least not until they are very comfortable with using it as a true conditional.
  • The simple past works.
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6 Answers
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If you started with Every time there was a family... usually encourage my students not to use 'would' in this type of situation, at least not until they are very comfortable with using it as a true conditional. The simple past works.
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Thank you Philip but I don't really get it. Did you say it would be correct if I said "Every time there was"? In my sentence I have used is not was, "Every time there is...."
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Sorry, I didn't complete a thought when I was looking at your post. Every time there was... can be followed by the phrases with 'would'. Every time there is...should be followed by phrases with the present tense.
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Thank you so much Philip.
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HaddieOne of the uses of would include describing something that used to happen in the past as a habit or a routine. Can it also be used for something that happens like that in the present?
No, because the simple present by itself can describe something that happens in the present as a habit or routine, especia
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