Used to and Would

Have you ever heard someone say "I used to play soccer" or "When I was younger, I would go to the beach every weekend"? If so, then you've already encountered the structures "used to" and "would"!

These two phrases are commonly used to describe past habits and routines, but how do we know when to use which one? In this article, we'll explore the differences between "used to" and "would" and give you plenty of examples to help you understand their usage. So, let's start learning!

Used to

"Used to" is a phrase that describes past habits or actions that are no longer true in the present. It's used to talk about something that you did regularly in the past, but you don't do anymore. For example:

I used to play the guitar, but I haven't played in years.

She used to live in Paris, but she moved to London last year.

They used to go on vacation every summer, but they haven't been able to lately.

Would

"Would" is a modal verb that can also be used to talk about past habits or routines. It's used to describe something that you did regularly in the past, often with a sense of nostalgia or fondness. For example:

When I was a kid, I would eat cereal for breakfast every morning.

We would always go to the park on Sundays when the weather was nice.

He would listen to music while he studied for exams in college.

How do we know when to use "used to" or "would"?

While "used to" and "would" can both be used to talk about past habits, there is a slight difference in their usage.

"Used to" is used when you want to emphasise that the action or habit is no longer true in the present. For example: "I used to smoke, but I quit a few years ago".

"Would" is used when you want to emphasise the regularity or frequency of the action or habit. For example: "When I was a kid, I would always go to the zoo with my family".