Used to and Would Exercises

These exercises focus on Used to and Would for past habits and repeated actions.

What’s the Difference Between "Would" and "Used To"?

Phrase	Meaning	Example
"Used to"	Describes past habits or situations that no longer exist	I used to play soccer every weekend.
"Would"	Describes repeated past actions, but not past states	Every summer, we would go to the beach.

🔹 Key difference: "Used to" can be used for both actions and states, but "would" is only for actions.

How to Use "Used To"

We use "used to" when talking about:

Past habits (things we did regularly in the past, but not now)

Example: I used to ride my bike to school. (But now I don’t.)

Past states (situations that were true in the past but are not true now)

Example: She used to be very shy. (Now she is not.)

✅ Formula:
Subject + used to + base verb

Affirmative	Negative	Question
I used to live in Spain.	I didn’t use to like coffee.	Did you use to play the piano?

🚨 Common Mistake:
❌ I use to live in New York.
✅ I used to live in New York.

How to Use "Would"

We use "would" for:

Past repeated actions (things that happened regularly in the past)

Example: When we were kids, we would play outside all day.

Past routines (things we did often, but only actions—not states!)

Example: Every winter, we would visit our grandparents.

✅ Formula:
Subject + would + base verb

Affirmative	Negative	Question
He would tell us stories before bed.	He would not (wouldn’t) eat vegetables.	Would he play soccer with you?

🚨 Common Mistake:
❌ He would be a doctor. (Incorrect—"would" can’t describe past states.)
✅ He used to be a doctor.

"Would" vs. "Used To": When to Use Each One

Situation	Used To	Would
Past repeated actions	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Past routines	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Past states (be, have, believe, love, know, etc.)	✅ Yes	❌ No
Describing emotions or conditions	✅ Yes	❌ No

Example Sentences:

✅ Both "used to" and "would" work:

When I was young, I used to play outside every evening.
When I was young, I would play outside every evening.

✅ Only "used to" works (because it describes a state):

I used to love chocolate. (Correct!)
❌ I would love chocolate. (Wrong!)

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Mistake	Correction	Why?
❌ I use to go swimming.	✅ I used to go swimming.	Always use "used to" in the past.
❌ She would have long hair.	✅ She used to have long hair.	"Would" cannot describe states.
❌ Did you used to play soccer?	✅ Did you use to play soccer?	In questions and negatives, "used to" becomes "use to."

FAQ: "Would" vs. "Used To"

Can "would" and "used to" always replace each other?

No! "Would" only works for actions, not states. If you're describing emotions, conditions, or states, use "used to."

Is "used to" formal or informal?

"Used to" is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal writing.

Can I say "I would live in New York"?

No, because "live" is a state, not an action. Say "I used to live in New York."

What’s the difference between "used to" and "be used to"?

"Used to" = past habit or state (I used to play soccer.)
"Be used to" = being accustomed to something (I am used to waking up early.)

Can "would" describe past routines?

Yes! "Would" works for repeated past actions but not for past states.

Would and Used to