English grammar
There used to be, there was, there were
Describe what a place was like in the past.
From the scene There used to be wolves here
In short
Describe a place in the past with there was / there were. There used to be means it isn't true any more.
Your turn
Which one goes with one thing?
Options: there used to be wolves here · there were pigs and horses · there was a deep lake
Show answer
one thing → there was a deep lake
How it works
To describe a place in the past, use there was for one thing and there were for more than one: there was a deep lake, there were pigs and horses.
Good to know
There used to be adds that it isn't true any more: there used to be wolves here.
Good to know
For what people and animals did, use the past simple: the pigs lived in the fields.
it isn't true any more there used to be wolves here
Nuria
There used to be wolves here.
Aquí antes había lobos.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: There used to be wolves here · There was a deep lake · There were pigs and horses
Show answer
Nuria
There used to be wolves here.
Aquí antes había lobos.
one thing there was a deep lake
Nuria
And in the forest there was a deep lake.
Y en el bosque había un lago profundo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And in the forest (blank).
Options: there were pigs and horses · there was a deep lake · there used to be wolves here
Show answer
Nuria
And in the forest there was a deep lake.
Y en el bosque había un lago profundo.
more than one there were pigs and horses
a time in the past when my grandma was little
Nuria
When my grandma was little. They came down to the valley in winter.
Cuando mi abuela era pequeña. Bajaban al valle en invierno.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). They came down to the valley in winter.
Options: There used to be wolves here · There was a deep lake · When my grandma was little
Show answer
Nuria
When my grandma was little. They came down to the valley in winter.
Cuando mi abuela era pequeña. Bajaban al valle en invierno.
what animals did the pigs lived in the fields
Nuria
The pigs lived in the fields and ate roots and leaves.
Los cerdos vivían en el campo y comían raíces y hojas.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) and ate roots and leaves.
Options: There used to be wolves here · There was a deep lake · The pigs lived in the fields
Show answer
Nuria
The pigs lived in the fields and ate roots and leaves.
Los cerdos vivían en el campo y comían raíces y hojas.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| it isn't true any more | there used to be wolves here |
|---|---|
| one thing | there was a deep lake |
| more than one | there were pigs and horses |
| a time in the past | when my grandma was little |
| what animals did | the pigs lived in the fields |
More lines from the story
- ElenaBut the wildest animal is Ramón before his coffee.Pero el animal más salvaje es Ramón antes del café.
- JaviAnd are there still wolves?¿Y todavía hay lobos?