Expression Chunks
I used to + base verb, whereas now I + base verb
Meaning: Contrasts a past habit or state with what is true now.
Sample sentence: I used to make plans months in advance, whereas now I leave more room for spontaneity.
Use it in your answer:
- What is something you did very differently five or ten years ago?Answer using: I used to ___, whereas now...
- How has the way you spend your free time changed?Answer using: I used to ___, whereas now...
- What matters more to you now than it did when you were younger?Answer using: I used to ___, whereas now...
- How has your relationship with money changed?Answer using: I used to ___, whereas now...
- What is something you worry about less now?Answer using: I used to ___, whereas now...
I don't + base verb + the way I used to
Meaning: Shows that the way you do something has changed over time.
Sample sentence: I don't worry about other people's opinions the way I used to.
Use it in your answer:
- What is something you did very differently five or ten years ago?Answer using: I don't ___ the way I used to.
- How has the way you spend your free time changed?Answer using: I don't ___ the way I used to.
- What matters more to you now than it did when you were younger?Answer using: I don't ___ the way I used to.
- How has your relationship with money changed?Answer using: I don't ___ the way I used to.
- What is something you worry about less now?Answer using: I don't ___ the way I used to.
The older I get, the more + clause
Meaning: Describes a change that becomes stronger as you get older.
Sample sentence: The older I get, the more I value time over possessions.
Use it in your answer:
- What is something you did very differently five or ten years ago?Answer using: The older I get, the more...
- How has the way you spend your free time changed?Answer using: The older I get, the more...
- What matters more to you now than it did when you were younger?Answer using: The older I get, the more...
- How has your relationship with money changed?Answer using: The older I get, the more...
- What is something you worry about less now?Answer using: The older I get, the more...
Topic Phrasal Verbs
Themed Conversation: Then vs. Now
grow out of
Definition: leave a habit or preference behind
Sample sentence: I eventually grew out of my fear of speaking in public.
Practice questions:
- What is something you loved as a child but grew out of?
- Did you grow out of any fears as you got older?
- What habit are you glad you grew out of?
- Are there some things people never really grow out of?
- What would you like to grow out of?
look back on
Definition: remember the past
Sample sentence: I like to look back on old photos from time to time.
Practice questions:
- What period of your life do you enjoy looking back on?
- What childhood memory do you look back on fondly?
- Is there a difficult experience you now look back on differently?
- What do you think you’ll look back on most fondly when you’re older?
- Do you like looking back on old photos and messages?
change into
Definition: become something different
Sample sentence: A small interest can sometimes change into a serious passion.
Practice questions:
- How has your hometown changed into a different kind of place over time?
- Can a hobby change into a career?
- Have you ever watched a friendship change into something deeper?
- What small habit could change into a serious problem?
- How do you think today's technology will change into something different in the future?
Relaxed Conversation — 10 Questions
- What is one way your daily life is very different from ten years ago?
- What did you use to enjoy that no longer interests you?
- What do you enjoy now that your younger self probably wouldn’t understand?
- How has the way you spend money changed?
- How has technology changed your everyday routine?
- Have your friendships changed as you’ve gotten older?
- What opinion have you completely changed your mind about?
- What part of your younger self are you glad you haven’t lost?
- Do you think life is better now than when you were younger?
- If you could bring one thing from your past back into your current life, what would it be?