“Used to” vs “Would” in English Grammar: How to Talk About the Past Like a Native Speaker

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Past Habit Grammar Tips: “Used to” and “Would” for ESL Students

Do you get confused between “used to” and “would” in English grammar? You’re not alone! These two common expressions help English speakers talk about the past, especially past habits and repeated actions. In this lesson from MK’s English, we’ll explain the difference, show clear examples, and help you speak more naturally.

What Does “Used to” Mean in English?

“Used to” is used to describe:

  • Past habits
  • Past situations or states that are no longer true

It’s a useful phrase for daily conversation, storytelling, and giving background.

🟢 Form:
subject + used to + base verb

✅ Examples:

  • I used to live in New York.
  • He used to eat fast food every day.
  • She used to be shy, but now she’s very outgoing.

👉 Tip: “Used to” works for both actions (eat, go, watch) and states (be, live, know).

When to Use “Would” in English

“Would” is great for describing repeated past actions, especially in storytelling and memories.

🔺 Important: “Would” is not used for past states.

🟢 Form:
subject + would + base verb

✅ Examples:

  • When I was a kid, my mom would read to me every night.
  • Every winter, we would go skiing in Hokkaido.

❌ I would be tired all the time.
✅ I used to be tired all the time.

“Used to” vs “Would” – What’s the Difference?

FeatureUsed toWould
Past Habits✅ Yes✅ Yes
Past States✅ Yes (be, have)❌ No
Storytelling✅ Good for background✅ Natural for detailed stories
Common Verbsbe, live, have, work, go, watchgo, walk, visit, bring, tell
ExampleI used to work weekends.My father would drive us to school.

ESL Tips for Mastering “Used to” and “Would”

  • Start with “used to” when talking about personal history.
  • Use “would” when describing a series of actions.
  • Never use “would” with non-action verbs (be, have, know).

Quick Practice Exercise

Fill in the blanks using used to or would:

  1. I ___________ (live) in the countryside.
  2. Every Friday, we ___________ (watch) a movie together.
  3. My sister ___________ (be) really shy.
  4. On weekends, he ___________ (go) fishing with his grandpa.

Answers:

  1. used to live
  2. would watch
  3. used to be
  4. would go

Take Your Grammar Further with MK’s English

If you want to master more grammar like this, MK’s English offers lessons that are clear, fun, and designed just for ESL learners like you.

💬 Ready to boost your grammar and fluency?
📩 Contact MK’s English for private or group lessons.