English Conversation

Striking up a conversation 37

Used to (do) can also indicate an action that was done routinely in the past.

When we were little, we used to swim in the lake.

When he was a kid, he used to ride his bike to school.

This meaning can alternatively be expressed with would (always) or a past tense verb.

When we were little, we would always swim in the lake.

When we were little, we swam in the lake.

When he was a kid, he would always ride his bike to school.

When he was a kid, he rode his bike to school.

Try

Try on means to put clothing, shoes, or accessories on to see if they fit or if you like them.

I would never buy shoes without trying them on first.

Try this dress on. Let’s see how it looks.

Try out means to use a car or other equipment to see how well you handle it or if you like it.

Your new camera looks awesome! Would you like to try it out?

Try to/try and indicate an effort to do something that may not be easy.

Try to be here before eight o’clock./Try and be here before eight o’clock.

Try + verb in -ing form (something) indicates a suggestion for solving a problem or prob-

lematical situation.

I can’t get the door open. Try turning the key in the other direction.

I try is a way to express modesty after receiving a compliment.

You are a good cook! Thank you; I try.

There is/there are

There is is followed by a singular or non-count noun to indicate that it exists.

There is a stop sign on the corner.

There is milk in the refrigerator.

There is too much pollution here.

There are is followed by a plural noun to indicate that more than one person, place, thing,

or abstract notion exists.

There are a lot of bikes on the road.

There are too many people in this class.

Wow

Wow is a common way to express surprise.

Here is your exam. Wow! I got an A.

This is where we’ll be living for a while. Wow—it sure needs a lot of work!