Grammar Reference

Functions and notions

Characteristic behavior

We can use certain verb forms and expressions to describe characteristic or habitual behavior.

Present and past simple

Simple verb forms are the most common way to describe characteristic behavior. They are often used with adverbs of frequency.

Present continuous

We use continuous verb forms to describe characteristic behavior when it is part of a new trend.

We can use the adverbs of frequency always and forever with the present continuous to criticize someone's characteristic behavior.

Used + infinitive

We use used + infinitive to talk about characteristic behavior in the past.

Will and would

We use will and would to talk about characteristic behavior in the present and in the past.

Keep

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

Expressions

Tend + infinitive, be (un)likely + infinitive

We use tend + infinitive and be (un)likely + infinitive to talk about what is frequently true, and therefore characteristic, about a person's behavior.

Be in the habit of + -ing

We use be in the habit of + -ing to talk about characteristic behavior.