When Sam was a small child, he used spend hours every day playing with stones in the garden. vs When Sam was a small child, he was spend hours every day playing with stones in the garden.

The first phrase is correct: 'when sam was a small child, he used spend hours every day playing with stones in the garden.' The second phrase is incorrect because 'was' should be followed by the base form of the verb, 'to spend,' not 'spend.'

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 3946 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"When Sam was a small child, he used spend hours every day playing with stones in the garden."

This phrase is used to describe a past habit or action that occurred regularly in the past.

This phrase is incorrect. 'Was' should be followed by the base form of the verb, 'to spend,' not 'spend.'

"When Sam was a small child, he was spend hours every day playing with stones in the garden."

Show examples from the web [+]

Well, the victim was a small child, and...
When I was a small child, I always worried that I wasn't doing it right...
Jedrek was a small child, and my mother was carrying him.
When I was a small child the opposition sent general Medrano to our house.
There was a small child on the plane.
Your Honor, but there was a small child sitting with the prosecution.
He's been this way since he was a small child.
I have known Tituba even longer than you have, ever since she was a small child.
I'm holding a small child, Hayley.
One called Mozart, who as a small child, wrote astonishing symphonies.
From being a small child, I can remember being told about the family line.
Compliance with this requirement shall be checked by placing a mass of 15 kg, representing a small child, at the centre of the step.
Imagine the scene as that of a small child, hidden in a closet or behind a door...
We interrupt Kaptain Kiddy's Komfort Karnival to report on a grisly incident involving a small child, who has apparently plunged off a guardrail here at Springfield National Park.
However, as in the case of a small child, it is also necessary to support this young state until it is able to be independent.
Perhaps you suffered because your mother, when you were a small child, paid more attention to someone else.
Right, but as a woman, especially one with a small child, safety comes first.
According to Professor Jackson, they'd have only shown up on a radionuclide scan, which is tricky to use on a small child, not so good at detecting the skull fractures.
This sequence is also nice. This is a small child, a six-year-old, telling his eldest sister what to do.
When he was a small boy, he charmed us all with his piano playing.

How TextRanch works

Fast and reliable proofreading, editing, and language advice tailored to your needs.

1. Choose Your Service

Quick Text Editing

Emails and short texts
Proofreading & editing
Ready in 5-10 minutes

SUBMIT YOUR TEXT NOW

Document Editing

Documents of any type (*.docx)
Advanced & Premium editing
Ready in as little as 4 hours

UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENT

Ask an Editor

Personalized answers to your language questions
Expert guidance on grammar, style, and usage
Ready in 24 hours

ASK YOUR QUESTION

Upload your document or paste your text directly into our platform. Your text is reviewed and refined by our expert editors (real people, not machines) who understand the nuances of English. Expect corrections, improvements, and insightful suggestions that enhance the clarity, tone, and professionalism of your writing.

3. Receive Your Polished Text

In just a few minutes (or hours for longer documents), you'll receive your corrected text. Review the changes, make any final adjustments, and confidently share your polished English with the world.
You can count on a personalized, friendly service every time you use TextRanch. We're committed to helping you make a great impression with every word you write.

We proofread and edit these types of texts and documents:

Short texts Business Emails Personal Emails Social media posts Resume and Curriculum Vitae Business documents Sales proposal Research and academic papers Thesis Dissertation Essays Articles Blog posts and much more....

Why choose TextRanch?

Complete Privacy

Your texts are safe and secure with us. We never share your information with third parties.

Affordable Pricing

No subscription fees and rates up to 50% cheaper than other online editing services.

100% Satisfaction

We guarantee that you'll be satisfied with the quality of our service or your money back.

Top Customer Service

Our team is here to help you with any questions you may have. Contact us anytime.

Our Customers Love Us!

We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283125 votes, and

4.9 Excellent - Reviews 2.137

"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"

Zubair
from Bangladesh

"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"

Arturo
from Mexico

"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."

Selena
from USA

"Wow, it's just so excellent. I never would have believed I could have a sure and excellent English companion. Thanks, TextRanch."

Ifiok
from Nigeria

"This is my first time using TextRanch, and I like how the editors take time to correct my text. To everyone who has never used TextRanch before, I highly recommend trying it."

Wilson
from France

"It is an amazing source of feedback because, as a non-native speaker, I really need to have a reliable helper correct my text."

Susan
from Germany

When Sam was a small child, he used spend hours every day playing with stones in the garden. vs When Sam was a small child, he was spend hours every day playing with stones in the garden.