Used To vs Would

The Good Old Days (When Everything Was Better)

Both "used to" and "would" are for talking about past habits and repeated actions. They're perfect for boring people with stories about how things were different back in your day.

The Nostalgia Formula:

Used to + base verb = Past habits and states

Would + base verb = Past repeated actions (not states)

Both make you sound like you're 80 years old reminiscing about the war.

Used To (The Universal Past)

Use "Used To" for:

Past habits: "I used to smoke." (But I quit, thank God)
Past states: "She used to be shy." (Now she won't shut up)
Past situations: "We used to live in London." (Before it got too expensive)
Things that are no longer true: "He used to have hair." (Poor bastard)

Would (The Posh Past)

Use "Would" for:

Past repeated actions: "Every Sunday, we would visit grandma." (Dutiful grandchildren)
Past habits (actions only): "He would always arrive late." (Typical)
Characteristic behavior: "She would spend hours reading." (Bookworm)

Note: "Would" doesn't work with states! You can't say "I would be tall" - that's just wrong.

Used To	Would	Notes
I used to smoke	I would smoke after dinner	Both work for habits
She used to be quiet	❌ She would be quiet	Only "used to" for states
We used to live there	❌ We would live there	Only "used to" for permanent situations
He used to call every day	He would call every day	Both work for repeated actions

The Key Differences (Pay Attention)

Used To:

✅ Past habits and repeated actions
✅ Past states and situations
✅ Things that are no longer true
✅ Can be used alone without context

Would:

✅ Past repeated actions and habits
❌ NOT for past states
❌ NOT for permanent past situations
⚠️ Usually needs time context (every day, always, etc.)

Negative and Question Forms:

Used to: "I didn't use to like coffee" / "Did you use to smoke?"
Would: "I wouldn't eat vegetables" / "Would you visit often?"

Practice Exercises (Nostalgia Time)

Exercise 1: Choose "Used To" or "Would"

1. When I was young, I be very shy.

2. Every morning, she make breakfast for the family.

3. We live in a small village.

4. He always tell the same jokes.

5. I have long hair when I was a teenager.

Exercise 2: Complete the Sentences

1. My grandfather us stories every evening. (tell)

2. This building a cinema. (be)

3. She hours in the garden. (spend)

4. I vegetables as a child. (hate)

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Brilliant! Now you can bore people with stories about the good old days!