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Kean Posted 7 years ago
Grammar

Would for past

Hi there,

all my grammar books, and English File Advanced, say that we can only use "would" for past actions, not states (ref student's book pg 143).

But EF Advanced has the following:"Our grandmother always used to have/would always have a surprise waiting for us when we visited." The Teacher's book says, and I agree, that both are possible.

Surely "have a surprise" is "have" used as a state verb, therefore strictly speaking "would", according to the "grammar rules" should not be possible...?

  

Top answer

" "Would" is technically the past tense of "will," but it is rarely used like that. "Would" is primarily a modal auxiliary and is used to express probability, doubt, uncertainty, etc. "

— Anonymous

  • " "Would" is technically the past tense of "will," but it is rarely used like that.
  • "Would" is primarily a modal auxiliary and is used to express probability, doubt, uncertainty, etc.
  • "
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2 Answers
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The sentences, "Our grandmother always used to have/would always have a surprise waiting for us when we visited.", are correct and have the same meaning: "When we visited our granny, she always surprised us with some kind of treat."


"Would" is technically the past tense of "will," but it is rarely used like that. "Would" is primarily a modal auxiliary and is used to express probab

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KeanAll my grammar books ... say that we can only use "would" for past actions, not states ...

Yes, that's a good guide to the usage of 'used to' and 'would'. It covers cases like the following.

I used to have a dog.
I would have a dog.

I used to live in Paris.
I would live in

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