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Grammar Lessons

Past Simple & Habitual Past

Who You Used to Be

Talk about completed events, childhood memories, and the habits you had growing up. This lesson also covers used to and would for habitual past — and introduces six phrasal verbs to make your stories sound more natural.

Beginner · A2–B1 Lesson ready

Grammar Focus

Three structures for talking about the past.

Past Simple

For completed actions at a specific time in the past. Regular verbs add -ed; irregular verbs must be learned individually.

+ Subject + past form — "She went to school in Madrid."
− Subject + didn't + base verb — "He didn't enjoy maths."
? Did + subject + base verb + …? — "Did you grow up here?"

used to & would

For past habits and repeated actions that no longer happen. used to can describe both habits and states; would is for habits only.

+ used to + base verb — "I used to play outside every day."
+ would + base verb — "We would ride our bikes to school."
− didn't use to + base verb — "I didn't use to like vegetables."
? Did you use to + base verb + …? — "Did you use to have a nickname?"

When to use which

Past Simple

A specific completed event.

"I fell off my bike when I was eight."

used to

A past habit or state — no longer true now.

"I used to be really shy."

would

A repeated past action — habits only, not states.

"My dad would read to me every night."

Vocabulary in Context

Six phrasal verbs that come up naturally when telling stories about the past. Each example uses past tense so you can see them in action.

01

grow up

Meaning

To develop from a child into an adult; to spend your childhood in a particular place.

Example

"I grew up in a small town near the coast — there wasn't much to do, but I loved it."

Conversation questions

  • Where did you grow up? What was it like?
  • How do you think growing up there shaped who you are today?
02

look back on

Meaning

To think about a past experience, often with a particular feeling about it now.

Example

"When I look back on my school years, I realise how carefree I used to be."

Conversation questions

  • When you look back on your childhood, what memory stands out the most?
  • Is there something you look back on now and think about differently than you did at the time?
03

bring back

Meaning

To cause someone to remember a past experience — usually through something sensory like a smell, song, or taste.

Example

"That song really brings back memories — we used to listen to it every summer."

Conversation questions

  • Is there a song, smell, or food that brings back strong memories for you?
  • What brought back a memory for you recently? What did you remember?
04

take after

Meaning

To resemble a parent or relative in appearance, personality, or behaviour.

Example

"Everyone always said I took after my grandmother — the same stubbornness, the same laugh."

Conversation questions

  • Who do you take after in your family — in looks or personality?
  • Did you used to want to be like someone in your family when you were growing up?
05

tell off

Meaning

To speak angrily to someone, especially a child, because they have done something wrong.

Example

"My teacher used to tell me off for talking too much — some things never change."

Conversation questions

  • What did you used to get told off for as a child?
  • Who told you off most as a child — a parent, a teacher, or someone else?
06

go through

Meaning

To experience a difficult or challenging period or situation.

Example

"My family went through a tough time when I was a teenager, but it made us closer."

Conversation questions

  • Did you go through any big changes or challenges growing up? How did they affect you?
  • Is there something difficult you went through that you think made you stronger?

Conversation Practice

Questions grouped by theme — all using past simple, used to, or would. Try to use at least two of the phrasal verbs from the cards above in your answers.

Childhood

  • What did you use to like doing when you were a child? Did those interests stay with you?
  • What was your favourite game or toy growing up? Who did you usually play with?
  • Did you grow up in a city or somewhere smaller? What would you and your friends usually do after school?
  • When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Family & Upbringing

  • Who took care of you when you were young? Were your parents strict or relaxed?
  • What did you use to get told off for as a child? Was it deserved?
  • Did you take after anyone in your family? In what way?
  • Did your family go through any big changes when you were growing up? How did it affect you?

Then vs. Now

  • How are you different now from who you used to be as a teenager?
  • Is there something you used to believe that you no longer think is true?
  • When you look back on your childhood, what brings back the strongest memories?