would and used to express past habits, as in “I used to do something often.” Although the two are similar, they have subtle but important differences.
Basic Rules
would + base-form verb: a repeated action in the past, meaning “used to do something often.” It is used only with action verbs. It is suitable for recalling repeated actions during a particular period in the past: “When I was a child, I would play in this park every day.”
used to + base-form verb: a past habit or state. It can be used with both action verbs and stative verbs. It implies a contrast with the present: “I used to live in Tokyo. (I do not live there now)” “There used to be a temple here. (There is not one now)”
Differences between the two:
① would is used only for actions, while used to is used for both actions and states
② would requires an adverbial phrase specifying a past period (when I was a child / in those days)
③ used to implies a contrast with the present, while would is simply a recollection
Negative: didn't use to / never used to / would not (would never)
Questions: Did you use to ~? / Would you ~? (Be careful: questions with would often have the meaning of a request)
When I was a child, I would go fishing every Sunday.（When I was a child, I used to go fishing every Sunday）
I used to play tennis, but I don't anymore.（I played tennis in the past, but I do not now）
There used to be a school here.（There was once a school here）← used to is required for a state
She used to be shy, but now she's very outgoing.← change in state
My grandmother would tell us stories before bedtime.（My grandmother often told us stories before bedtime）
Points to Remember
① Criteria for choosing would or used to:
- Action verb + repeated past action: would or used to (either is possible)
- Stative verb (be / have / live / know): used to only
- Emphasizing a contrast with the present: used to
- Simple recollection or memory: would
② be used to + doing (gerund): “be accustomed to doing something” ← a completely different construction! “I'm used to getting up early.” Do not confuse it with used to + base form (past habit).
③ get used to + doing: “become accustomed to doing something” (a process of change) “I got used to the noise.”
④ Do not confuse the other uses of would:
- Subjunctive (If I were ~, I would ~)
- Polite request (Would you ~?)
- Conjecture (That would be Tom. “That is probably Tom.”)
The would of past habits is judged from the surrounding context.
- would + action: repeated action in the past
- used to + action/state: past habit or state (contrast with the present)
- Only used to can be used with states
- be used to + doing is a different construction (be accustomed to)
- get used to + doing means “become accustomed to”
Practice
- Translate “When I was a child, my mother would read me a picture book every night” into English using would.
- Translate “There used to be a large tree here” into English using used to.
- Translate “I am accustomed to getting up early” into English (be used to + gerund).