Grammar Gameshow!

I'm your host, Will!

But I won't!

And of course let's not forget Leslie,

our all-knowing voice in the sky.

Hello, everyone!

Tonight we're going to ask you

three questions about…

Used to and Would!

Those useful words for talking about past habits.

OK! Now, let's meet our contestants!

Hi everyone. I'm Mike!

And contestant number two?

Hi, Will. I'm Jay!

Welcome back, Mike!

OK! Let's get going, and don't forget

you can play along at home too.

Ok. Our first question is a quick-fire question, so

fingers on the buzzers.

Which verb form follows used to or would?

A verb with no to?

Leslie?

Good job, Jay. You are correct.

After using used to or would,

we use a bare infinitive verb.

That's a verb with no to, for example:

I used to go every day. I would go every day.

Jay, you get two points.

Now, for our second question -

and this is multiple choice.

Look at these four sentences.

One of them is incorrect. Which one is it, and why?

I used to go running every day.

I would go running every day.

I used to be shorter.

I would be shorter.

I used to go running every day?

No. I'm sorry that's not right.

I can give you another try.

B! I would go running every day?

Oh…this is awkward.

Wrong again. Care to try a third time?

C? I used to be shorter.

No.

Three strikes, and you're out I'm afraid.

Mike, why don't you give it a try?

Ok!

D! I would be shorter.

Is the right answer!

And why?

Because he chose the other three answers?

Right again!

Leslie?

Yep

D is incorrect because used to and would

talk about past habits.

But unlike used to,

would can only talk about actions,

not states.

Be is a state, so it is incorrect!

Well done! 2 points for you!

Alright…on to our third and last question

How does used to change when used as a positive,

negative and question?

It's the D!

In the positive used to has a D,

but in the negative and the question,

we change the spelling , so no D.

And how does this affect the pronunciation?

It doesn't.

Leslie?

Perfectly right again.

When used to is put into the negative or a question,

it changes spelling and loses a D.

However,

this does not affect its pronunciation.

For example:

I used to dance. I didn't use to dance.

Did you use to dance?

We all used to dance Leslie….

...we all did…

Well done! 1 point for you!

Well, that brings us to the end of today's

Grammar Gameshow.

Let's count out the points.

And the winner is...

Mike

with 58 points.

Well done! Here's what you've won!

A pot of jam!

Fantastic!

Spread the love.

And how did you do at home?

We'll see you again next week,

where you can play for an even bigger prize.

And Jay?

You had some good answers,

but it just wasn't meant to be.

Yes. I certainly…

Bring forth the lions.

It looks like we'll need another contestant.

Thanks for joining us.

Say goodbye, Leslie.

Goodbye, Leslie!

See you again next time!