In this lesson, we will explore the differences between “Used To” and “Would” when talking about past habits or repeated actions. By the end of this lesson, you will have a clear understanding of how and when to use these structures correctly.
Used To
Used to is used to talk about past habits, routines, or states that are no longer true.
Structure:
Positive: Subject + used to + base verb Example:
I used to play soccer every weekend.
Negative: Subject + didn’t use to + base verb Example:
She didn’t use to like coffee.
Question: Did + subject + use to + base verb? Example:
Did they use to live in London?
Key Points:
Used to can describe both actions and states in the past.
It emphasizes that something happened regularly in the past but does not happen anymore.
Examples:
Sentence
Meaning
I used to smoke, but I quit last year.
I smoked regularly in the past, but I don’t smoke now.
We used to live in Paris.
We lived in Paris in the past, but we don’t live there now.
Would
Would is used to talk about repeated actions in the past, but it cannot describe past states.
Structure:
Positive: Subject + would + base verb Example:
Every summer, we would visit my grandparents.
Negative: Subject + wouldn’t + base verb Example:
He wouldn’t listen to anyone’s advice.
Question: Would + subject + base verb? Example:
Would she always arrive late?
Key Points:
Would is only used for repeated actions, not states.
It often implies a sense of nostalgia or storytelling.
Examples:
Sentence
Meaning
When I was young, I would climb trees.
This describes a repeated action from the past.
On Sundays, my family would have big dinners together.
This describes a habitual action in the past.
Comparison: Used To vs Would
Similarities:
Both used to and would can describe repeated actions in the past.
Example:
I used to go swimming every summer.
I would go swimming every summer.
Differences:
Feature
Used To
Would
States
Can describe past states (e.g., “I used to be shy.”)
Cannot describe past states.
Actions
Describes both repeated actions and single events (e.g., “I used to work there.”)
Only describes repeated actions (e.g., “I would work there every summer.”)
Tone
Neutral
Often nostalgic or storytelling.
Summary Table
Feature
Used To
Would
Past States
✔️
❌
Repeated Actions
✔️
✔️
Single Events
✔️
❌
Nostalgic Tone
Sometimes
Often
Final Tips
Use used to when describing something that is no longer true.
Use would for repeated actions in a storytelling context.
Remember: Would cannot describe past states!
Now you’re ready to practice using used to and would in your conversations and writing. Keep practicing, and soon these structures will become second nature!
