Would vs. Used To
Would
Use would to talk about repeated actions and events in the past.
- The old man would sit in a corner talking to himself for hours.
- After dinner we all would sit in the drawing room and chat.
Use used to talk about repeated actions and events in the past.
- The old man used to sit in a corner talking to himself for hours.
- After dinner we all used to sit in the drawing room and chat.
We can use used to to talk about past states. Would cannot be used with this meaning.
- I used to have an old Rolls-Royce. (NOT I would have an old Rolls-Royce.)
Fill in the blanks with would or used to. In some cases, either could be used.
1. When he was at university, he ……………………….. spend a lot of time in the library. (would / used to)
2. She ………………………… to work in a restaurant. (would / used to)
3. That ………………………… be interesting. (would / used to)
4. I ………………………………. like mushroom, but now I do. (would not / used not to)
5. I always …………………………… be afraid of cockroaches. (would / used to)
6. When I was living in the countryside, I …………………………… go for long drives in the woods. (would / used to)
Answers
1. would / used to, 2. used to, 3. would, 4. used not to, 5. used to, 6. would / used to
