Past Habits

November 17, 2009

Used to and Would

USED TO + INFINITIVE

Past habits that have now changed

-I used to drink cola but now I drink orange juice.

- When Amy was four, she used to play with dolls.

- I didn’t use to sleep late.

- Did people use to talk on the phone 70 years ago?

WOULD + INFINITIVE

To describe repeated past actions or habits

- When we were ten, we would often stop for an ice cream on our way back from school.

Tom would play in the garden every afternoon when he was a little boy

NOTES

1. We can use “never” to express the negative of used to

He never used to watch the news = He didn’t use to watch the news.

2. We can’t use would to describe past states:

- Every year, we would move to a new place.

BUT NOT

In the past, I would live in Scotland

In the past, I used to live in Scotland.

3. We can’t use would in the negative and interrogative.

Don't say: He wouldn't drink cola when he was a child. Would you sleep late when you were younger?

Say: He didn't use to drink cola when he was a child or He never drank cola when he was a child. / Did you use to sleep late when you were younger?

4. DON’T CONFUSE !

Used to + infinitive and be / get used to + -ing verb or noun

I used to play football (past habit)

I am used to playing football ( I am accustomed to playing football )

USED TO + INFINITIVE	BE USED TO + Verb-ing or NOUN
Past habit that has now changed	Be accustomed to
A few years ago, I used to take the bus to work. Now, I drive to work.	I am used to getting up early. Paula isn’t used to hard work / to working hard.
My grandparents used to travel a lot when they were younger.	Bill isn’t used to driving a lorry. He’ll need some training.
	GET USED TO + Verb-ing or NOUN = the process of becoming accustomed to something. We'll soon get used to living in our new flat. Bob soon got used to his new teacher.