Functions and notions

Habits

We can use certain forms to talk about habits - things which people do regularly. We often use these forms to criticise or complain.

Forever and always

We use these adverbs with the present continuous to express criticism of someone.

• He's always getting into trouble and fighting.
• My sister is forever complaining about her boyfriend.

We put forever and always after the auxiliary verb be.

• He's always getting into trouble and fighting.
  NOT: He always is getting into trouble and fighting.
  NOT: He is getting always into trouble and fighting.

Keep

We use keep followed by the -ing form of the verb to talk about (and criticise) habitual behaviour.

• The kids keep doing dangerous things.
• He keeps telling me what to do.

Will

We use will followed by the infinitive to talk about (and criticise) habitual behaviour.

• They will do dangerous things.
• He will try to show he’s brave.

Will is always stressed when it is used this way.

• They will do dangerous things.
  NOT: They'll do dangerous things.

We do not use to with the infinitive after will.

• They will to do dangerous things.