English Mentors Tips
Jen’s Weekly English Tip – Used To and Would
Used To and Would
USED TO and WOULD are used to describe events, situations or actions that happened in the past, but don’t happen anymore.
USED TO and WOULD are used to describe events, situations or actions that happened in the past, but…
However, there are very significant difference between USED TO and WOULD.
- WOULD is used when we establish the past time frame before the word would appears.
For example,
When I was a child, I would watch cartoons with my dad in the mornings.
When I was a student, I would read books in the library every Friday.
If the time frame is establish after, USED TO can be used.
For example,
I used to watch cartoons with my dad in the mornings, when I was a child.
I used to read books in the library every Friday, when I was a student.
- WOULD is not used with stative verbs (verbs that describe a state of being), such as be, understand, feel or love.
For example,
When I was a kid, I used to feel happier.
When I was a kid, I would feel happier.
- We cannot use WOULD when we want to talk about past state. We have to use USED TO!
For example,
I used to live in Chicago, when I was a kid.
I would live in Chicago, when I was a kid.
So, the use of WOULD is more limited than USED TO.
Be careful when you choose which one to use. If you are really unsure, use USED TO.