Usually and used to

• Usually

Use it for present habits and states.

For present habits use usually or normally + simple present.

Example:      I usually get up at 8:00 on school days.
                    I don't usually go out during the week.

• Used to

Use it for past habits and states.

For past habits use used to / didn't use to + base form. Used to does not exist in the present tense.
We use used to for things that were true over a period of time in the past. It usually refers to something that is not true now.

Example:       We used to be close friends, but we don't see each other anymore.
                     I used to go out with that girl when I was at school.

Usually and used to

Second conditional & Vocabulary of school and people

• Second conditional sentences: if + past simple, 

Use the second conditional to talk about a hypothetical/imaginary situation in the present or future and it's consequence.

Example:     If I had more money, I would buy a bigger house.
                   If he spoke English, he could get a job in the hotel.

•  would / wouldn't + base form

You can also use would / wouldn't + base form (without an if clause) when you talk about imaginary situations.
The contraction of would is 'd

Example:     My ideal vacation would be a week in the Bahamas.


Vocabulary school

First conditional and future time clauses + when, until, etc.

• First conditional sentences: if (or unless) + simple present, will / won't + base form

Use the present tense (NOT the future)  after if  in first conditional sentences.

unless = if . . . not
I won't go unless she invites me. = I won't go if she doesn't invite me.

You can also use an imperative instead of the will clause. e.g., Come and see us next week if you have time.

• Future time clauses

As soon as you get your test results, call me.
We'll have dinner when your father gets home.
I won't go bed until you come home.
I´ll have lunch before I leave.
After I graduate form college, I'll probably take a year off and travel. First conditional

Can, could, be able to (ability and possibility)

• Can/could:

 Can is a modal verb. It only has a present, past, and conditional form (but also can be used with a future meaning).
For other tenses and forms use be able to.

Example:  I can speak Spanish very well.
                She could play the violin when she was three.
                She can't come tonight. She's sick.
                They couldn't wait because they were in a hurry.

• be able to + base form

You can use be able to in the present, past, future, present perfect, and as a gerund or infinitive.
be able to in the present and past is more formal than can / could. 

Example:   I am able to accept your invitation.
                They weren't able to come.
                I'll be able to practice my English in the US.
                She has been able to speak French since she was a child.
                I'd like to be able to ski.
                I love being able to sleep late on weekends.

can, could, be able to

Must, may, might, can't

Grammar: must, may, might, can't (deduction)

• When you are sure something is true: must

           They must be out. There aren't any lights on.
           She must have a lot fo money. She drives a Porsche.

• When you think something is possibility true: may/might 

          His phone's off. He might be on the plane now.
          She's not at home. She may be working.

• When your are sure something is impossible/not true: can't 

          He can't be sick. I saw him at the gym.
          They can't be Italian. They're speaking to each other in Spanish.

must, may, might, can't

Vocabulary: Describing People

Describing people

Sentence Stress

Sentence Stress