“Would” and “used to” can both be used to talk about past habits or repeated actions, but there are some important differences in meaning, form, and usage.
✅ 1. “Used to”
Function:
- Describes past habits or states that are no longer true.
Examples:
- I used to play soccer every weekend. (habit)
- She used to live in New York. (state)
- We used to be best friends. (state)
Important:
- “Used to” can describe both actions and states.
✅ 2. “Would” (for past)
Function:
- Describes repeated actions or routines in the past, often with a sense of nostalgia.
Examples:
- When I was a kid, we would go to the beach every summer. (habit)
- My grandfather would tell us stories every night. (habit)
Important:
- “Would” is only used for actions, not states.
❌ I would live in New York. → Incorrect
✅ I used to live in New York. → Correct
🔍 Summary Table:
| Use | Used to | Would |
|---|---|---|
| Past habits | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Past states (e.g., live, be, have) | ✔ Yes | ❌ No |
| Repeated past actions | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Formality / tone | Neutral | Often more literary or nostalgic |
| Example | I used to ride my bike. | I would ride my bike every day. |
🎯 Examples to Compare:
- I used to be very shy. ✅ (State — OK with “used to,” but not “would”)
- When we were kids, we would build forts in the backyard. ✅ (Repeated action — OK with “would” or “used to”)
- She used to have a dog. ✅ (State — “would” not possible here)
Here are some practice exercises to help you practice the difference between “used to” and “would”.
Continue lendo “Used to vs. would”
