Past Habits Video

My latest Youtube video teaches how to talk about past habits using used to.

If you like this video, please click 'like' and subscribe to my Youtube channel.

Here's the script of the video:

In this video we will learn how to talk about past habits and repeated action using used to. We use used to + verb to talk about repeated actions in the past that don't happen anymore. For example:
I used to play video games, but now I'm too busy.

To make negative sentences we say didn't use to + verb.
I didn't use to like mushrooms, but I like them now.

Note that in spoken English we often say never used to rather than didn't use to.
I never used to do my homework on time.

Here is an example of a yes / no question:
Did you use to have a pet? Yes, I did. I used to have a dog.

Let's look at some more examples:
I used to do taekwondo when I was younger.
She used to take ballet lessons.
He didn't use to get good grades.
Did you use to play a lot of sports? Yes, I did. I used to play sports every day.
What board games did you use to play? I used to play Monopoly.

Used to is only used when talking about the past and shouldn't be confused with be used to or get used to. If you are used to something you are accustomed to it, for example:
I eat kimchi every day. I'm used to spicy food.

If you are getting used to something then you are becoming accustomed to it.
My new job is really demanding, but I'm slowly getting used to it.

Free-time Activities Video

My latest Youtube video shows how to talk about free-time activities.

If you like this video, please click 'like' and subscribe to my Youtube channel.

Here's the script of the video:

In this video we will learn how to talk about free-time activities. We can use 'like' to talk about the things we do in our free time. 'Like' can be followed by a gerund or to-infinitive. The difference in meaning is often small. The gerund or -ing form places a slight emphasis on the action. So let's start by using gerunds to talk about free-time activities. Let's review some questions and answers.
What do you like doing in your free time? I like listening to music.
Do you like playing video games? Yes, I do.

For sentences in the third person singular in the present tense we add s to the auxiliary verb.
What does Mark like doing in his free time? He likes playing golf.
Does Rachel like riding a bicycle? No, she doesn't.

The degree to which we like or dislike something can be described from love to hate.
Julie loves reading books.
Sarah really likes shopping.
Ben likes playing chess.
Michelle doesn't like ironing shirts.
Claire really doesn't like cooking.
Brian hates snowboarding.

To keep the conversation going we can ask follow up questions.
What do you like doing in your free time? I like doing taekwondo.
What belt are you? I'm a black belt.
What do you like doing in your free time? I like jogging.
How far do you usually run? I usually run for 5 kilometers.

We can also use to-infinitive to talk about likes. Let's review some questions and answers using to-infinitive.
What do you like to do in your free time? I like to play cellphone games.
Do you like to lift weights? Yes, I do.
What do you do to stay in shape? I like to do yoga.
What does Janet like to do in her free time? She likes to watch tv.
Does Emma like to play cards? Yes, she does.
What does Jason do to stay in shape? He likes to play tennis.

Here's a homework assignment. Answer these questions by putting your answers in the comments and I'll check your answers.
1. What do you like doing in your free time?
2. What do you like doing on Saturday night?
3. What do you like doing on Sunday morning?
4. What do you do to stay in shape?
5. Do you like swimming?
Answer in full sentences.

Future Plans and Predictions Video

Here is my latest video about the future plans and predictions using be going to.

If you like this video, please click 'like' and subscribe to my Youtube channel.

Here's the script of the video:

In this video we will learn how to use be going to to talk about the future. Be going to has two functions:

1. to describe future intentions and

2. to make predictions

We use be going to when we describe something we intend to do. Be going to is used when the decision was made in the past. If the decision is being made now, we generally use will instead of be going to. Compare these two sentences:

A: We're going to give James a surprise birthday party.

B: Great. I'll buy him a present.

We also use be going to when making predictions about the near future that are based on present evidence rather than our opinion. When talking about outcomes that we are less certain about, we would generally use will rather than be going to.

Compare these two sentences:

I missed my bus. I'm going to be late for work.

I think everyone will have their own robot in the future.

To make sentences we use subject + be + going to + verb. This chart shows the grammar we need to make be going to sentences. Let's look at some examples. What are you going to do tomorrow? I'm going to go jogging. What is she going to do on the weekend? She's going to relax. What are they going to do next summer? They're going to go on vacation.

For negative sentences we add not. I'm not going to lose. I'm going to win. He isn't going to be on time. or He's not going to be on time. He's going to be late. You aren't going to fail the exam. or You're not going to fail the exam. You're going to pass.

Here are some examples of yes / no questions. Am I going to be busy today? No, you're not. Is it going to rain? Yes, it is. Are they going to give her the job? Yes, they are.

In informal spoken English we often say gonna instead of going to. However, we would never use gonna in written English and it shouldn't be used in formal speech. Here's an example: I'm gonna watch a movie tonight.