Practice Makes Perfect

3. We come home late.

past

present perfect

past perfect

future

future perfect

Going toand used toare two important phrases that cause a tense change. Use going toas a substi-

tute for shallor willin the future tense. Use used toas a substitute for the simple past tense. Com-

bine going toor used towith an infinitive:

He will learn English. He is going to learn English.

He spoke English. He used to speak English.

When you use to be going toto express the future tense, you imply that the action is something

you intendto do. When you use used toto express the past tense, you imply that the action is

something that had been a habit.

You can also use going toin the past tense (was/were going to) to express something that you had

intendeddoing:

I was going to buy a new car but changed my mind.

Were you going to visit your aunt?

Rewrite the following present tense sentences (1) in the future tense with going toand (2) in the past tense with

used to.

1. Bill takes a class at the university.


2. We travel to Germany.


3. I have lots of parties.


4. Do you live in Ecuador?

exercise 5-22

42 Practice Makes Perfect: English Grammar for ESL Learners

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