English - Lesson 36 of 139: Daily Habits

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

I try not to ___.

Say that someone avoids a habit or behavior.

Meaning: Say that you avoid a habit or behavior.

When to use: Use it when you want to talk about self-control or a habit you do less.

Tip: After “try not to,” use the base verb: “I try not to sleep late,” not “I try not sleeping late.”

I try not to eat snacks late at night.

I avoid eating snacks late at night.

I try not to check my phone during dinner.

I avoid checking my phone during dinner.

I spend about ___ minutes ___ each day.

Describe how much time a routine activity takes.

Meaning: Describe how much time a daily activity takes.

When to use: Use it when you want to say the number of minutes and the activity.

Tip: After the minutes, use an -ing verb: “20 minutes walking,” not “20 minutes walk.”

I spend about 20 minutes walking each day.

Walking takes about 20 minutes of my day.

I spend about 10 minutes stretching each day.

Stretching takes about 10 minutes of my day.

I do that about ___ times a week.

Answer with the approximate frequency of a repeated action.

Meaning: Say approximately how often you do an action each week.

When to use: Use it after someone asks about a repeated habit.

I do that about three times a week.

I do it around three times weekly.

I do that about once a week.

I do it around one time weekly.

When do you normally ___?

Ask what time or situation someone normally does an activity.

Meaning: Ask when someone usually does an activity.

When to use: Use it to ask about the normal time or situation for a routine.

When do you normally exercise?

What time do you usually exercise?

When do you normally study English?

What time do you usually study English?

What do you do before ___?

Ask about what someone does before another activity or time.

Meaning: Ask what someone does before another activity or time.

When to use: Use it to learn the order of someone’s routine.

What do you do before work?

What is your routine before work?

What do you do before bed?

What is your routine before you sleep?

I started ___ recently.

Say that a habit or routine is new.

Meaning: Say that a habit or routine is new.

When to use: Use it when you began a habit not long ago.

Tip: After “started,” an -ing verb sounds natural for habits: “started running,” “started cooking.”

I started running recently.

Running is a new habit for me.

I started cooking at home recently.

Cooking at home is a new habit for me.

I stopped ___ because ___.

Say that someone ended a habit and give a simple reason.

Meaning: Say that you ended a habit and give a reason.

When to use: Use it to explain a habit change with “because.”

Tip: After “stopped,” use an -ing verb: “stopped drinking,” not “stopped drink.”

I stopped drinking soda because it made me tired.

I do not drink soda now, and this is the reason.

I stopped staying up late because I need more sleep.

I do not stay up late now, and this is the reason.

First I ___, then I ___.

Sequence actions in a routine.

Meaning: Put two routine actions in order.

When to use: Use it when you describe step one and step two.

First I make coffee, then I check my email.

I make coffee before I check my email.

First I shower, then I get dressed.

I shower before I get dressed.

I like to ___ before ___.

Describe a preferred habitual action before another activity.

Meaning: Describe something you prefer to do before another activity.

When to use: Use it to connect a preference with a routine.

I like to stretch before breakfast.

Stretching before breakfast is my preference.

I like to read before bed.

Reading before bed is my preference.

I don't have much time for ___.

Explain that time limits affect a habit.

Meaning: Explain that you cannot do something often because time is limited.

When to use: Use it when life is busy and a habit is hard to fit in.

I don't have much time for exercise.

I am too busy to exercise often.

I don't have much time for cooking.

I am too busy to cook often.

I ___ whenever I can.

Describe an occasional habit based on opportunity.

Meaning: Say you do something when you have the chance.

When to use: Use it when the habit is not at a fixed time or frequency.

I walk whenever I can.

I walk when I have the chance.

I practice English whenever I can.

I practice English when I have the chance.

Is ___ part of your routine?

Ask whether something belongs to someone's routine.

Meaning: Ask if something is included in someone’s normal routine.

When to use: Use it to ask about a habit politely and naturally.

Is meditation part of your routine?

Do you usually meditate?

Is exercise part of your routine?

Do you usually exercise?

English - Daily Habits

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

Which phrase means you avoid a bad habit?

Which phrase describes time spent on a daily activity?

Which question asks about the normal time for a habit?

Which phrase explains that a habit ended and gives a reason?

Anna wants less screen time in the evening. She says, “I try not to check my phone at night.”

David explains his morning order: “First I shower, then I make breakfast.”

Anna asks, “Do you read every day?” David says, “Not every day. I read when I have free time. I read whenever I can.”

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice