2.3: Used To and Would

Used to and Would

Narrating Past Behavior or Past Habits

Read and Learn

A Story

I grew up in California and lived close to the ocean for most of my childhood. When I was fourteen, my father accepted a new job. We had to move to a city inland. Our days changed. We used to walk to the beach. We would spend hours playing in the sand and swimming in the ocean. But after our move, the ocean was too far away. So instead, we walked to a nearby recreational center to swim. The pool was big, long, clean and very flat. We used to think it was boring because it had no action like the waves that we were used to¹. Shortly after our move, we kids joined the swim team and learned to swim competitively. After a while, we did not miss the beach so much.

¹be used to means to be familiar with or accustomed to something or someone

A Conversation

Maria and Carlos met at a café after many years.

“Hey, Carlos! Do you remember how we used to study together for our exams?” Maria asked, smiling.

Carlos laughed. “Yes! We would spend hours in the library. I loved those days. But then I got busy with work. I didn’t use to have so many responsibilities back then.”

Maria nodded. “I know what you mean. Life changes so quickly! Did you use to enjoy your job?”

Carlos sighed. “Not really. I didn’t use to feel this stressed. But I guess we all grow up, right?”

They both laughed, realizing how much had changed but feeling happy to reconnect.

Think about It

Look at the expression in bold letters and answer the questions.

1. Both "used to" and "would" are used to describe:

    A. Past activities that continue into a present time.

    B. Past activities that no longer happen in a present time.

2. Look at the bold words in the reading and conversation. In the column titled "Actions," copy some examples of these words that describe actions from the reading and conversations into the chart. In the column titled "States," write examples of bold words that describe a state (non-action).

Actions	States

Grammar Presentation

 Used To

Used to /Use to expresses that (1) an activity was a past habit that occurred at an earlier stage of life and (2) it ended. The focus is on the past habit not its duration. This activity or habit occurred but no longer continues because of a change of circumstances or change of willpower. (I used to smoke!)

Affirmative Forms

Subject	Used to	Base Verb	Rest of Sentence
I You He/She/It We They	used to	walk	to the beach.

  Negative Forms

  Remove the final -d from used when in a question (Did you use to swim?) or negative context (You didn't use to swim.)

Subject	Did+not	use to	Base Verb	Rest of Sentence
I You He/She/It We They	did not didn’t	use to	have	so many responsibilities.

 Yes/No Questions with Short Answers

Did	Subject	"Use To"	Base Verb	Short Answers Yes/No+Subject+ did +(not)
Did	I you he/she/it we they	use to	enjoy your job?	Yes, I did. No, I did not.* No, I didn't

* The negative contraction is more common in short answers. "No, I did not" expresses a strong opinion.

 Wh-Questions

Wh-word	Did	Subject	use to	Base Verb
Where	did	I you he/she/it we they	use to	go on the weekends?

---

 Using "Used To"

1: Use "used to" for repeated actions in the past. These actions do not happen now.	I used to do my homework every evening when I was a child.
2: Use "used to" for states that were true in the past. These states are not true in the present.	They used to live in a small town before moving to the city.
3: Do not use "used to" for actions that only occurred once.	Incorrect: I used to visit Paris last summer.

---

Using "Would"

 Affirmative Forms

Subject	would	Base Verb
I You He/She/It We They	would	spend hours in the library.

 Negative Forms

Subject	would not (wouldn't)	Base Verb
I You He/She/It We They	would not wouldn’t	do much on the weekends.

 Yes/No Questions with Short Answers

Would	Subject	Base Verb
Would	I you he she it we they	often visit your grandparents ?

Short Answers:

• Yes: Yes, subject + would.
• No: No, subject + wouldn’t.

 Wh-Questions

Wh-word	Would	Subject	Base Verb
Where	would	I you he/she/it we/they	go on Saturdays?

Note: "Used to"" is used more often than "would" for questions.

Using "Would"

Explanation	Example
1. Use "would" for repeated actions in the past.	Every summer, we would go camping in the mountains.
2. Before you use "would," make the past time clear. Use simple past or "used to."	When I was a child, my grandfather would tell me stories every evening.
3. Do not use "would" with stative verbs such as know, like, believe, or have.	Incorrect: She would know the answer to every question. Correct: She knew the answer.
4. Do not use "would" for actions that only happened once.	Incorrect: He would propose to her last night. Correct: He proposed to her last night.
5. Use full forms in writing. Contractions are common in speaking.	Full form: He would always bring flowers for her birthday. Spoken: He’d always bring flowers.

Exercise 4.1: Used to-Affirmative, Negative and Questions 

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of "used to" (affirmative, negative or question form):

1. When I was a child, I ____________________ (eat) ice cream every day after school.
2. Marsha____________________ (enjoy) playing outside, but now she prefers staying indoors.
3. We ____________________ (live) in a small apartment before we moved to a house.
4. They ____________________ (travel) to Europe every summer when they were younger.
5. ________ you _________________ (play) soccer every weekend?
6. We ____________________ (not go) camping when we were kids; we preferred staying in hotels.
7. ___________ your parents_________________ (travel) abroad for vacations?
8. He ____________________ (be) afraid of dogs, but now he has one as a pet.
9. He ____________________ (not play) sports in school, but he has become more active now.
10. Where ___________ you _______________ (go) for your summer vacations?

Exercise 4.2: An Interview 

Complete the interview by filling in the blanks with the correct form of "used to". Use the base verb provided in parentheses.

Interviewer: Hi, Dr. Patel. You’ve had an exciting career as a scientific researcher and adventurer. What _________ you ____________ (study) before you started exploring?                              
Dr. Patel: I ____________________ (study) molecular biology, but I always had a passion for fieldwork and exploration.                                                                                                            
Interviewer: That’s fascinating! ________ you _________________ (travel) to remote places during your early career?                                                                                                                              
Dr. Patel: No, I ________ not ________________ (travel) much before, but I __________________ (read) about groundbreaking expeditions that inspired me.                                                                                
Interviewer: How did you transition into this adventurous role? _______ you ____________________ (spend) a lot of time outdoors before?                                                                                                                          
Dr. Patel: Not really. I ________ not ______________________ (spend) much time in nature, but I ___________________ (love) observing wildlife even as a child.                                                                                     
Interviewer: What about your research? __________ you _________________________ (focus) on the same topics then as you do now?                                                                                                       
Dr. Patel: No, I _____________________________ (work) on lab-based experiments before, but now I combine fieldwork with my scientific studies  at the unversity.

---

Exercise 4.3: Story Practice with "Used to" and "Would"

Complete the story by filling in the blanks with the correct form of "used to" or "would". In some cases, more than one answer may be correct.

     Today, I am a professor at at a university, but I have not always worked in academics.  At one time, I worked as a scientific explorer.  Before I began this exciting career, I

___________________ (spend) most of my time in a laboratory. I   __________________(conduct) experiments on microbial life and write reports for academic journals. I

never imagined that my career would eventually take me to some of the most remote corners of the planet. 

     My journey began when I joined a research team studying ecosystems in extreme environments. Every morning, we _____________________ (wake up) before dawn to

collect samples from glaciers, rainforests, or deep caves. I _____________________ (analyze) the data in makeshift labs set up in tents or cabins. At first, I

didn't feel comfortable with the physical challenges of fieldwork. Hiking for hours in unpredictable weather ___________________ (be) difficult for me, but I considered it to be

an exciting challenge. 

     One of my most memorable experiences was in the Amazon rainforest. For this job, my team and I ______________________ (observe) rare plant

species and  document their medicinal  properties. The local guides ______________________  (teach) us about traditional uses of these plants, which greatly enriched our

research. Of course, it wasn't always easy. I faced extreme conditions, like heavy storms and swarms of insects. But those difficulties made the discoveries even more

rewarding. Although I enjoy being a professor, I look back at my time working as a scientific explorer as the best time of my life.

Exercise 4.4: Negative and Positive Forms of "Used to" 

Ten years ago, Max was a student, now he is a doctor. Use the prompts to ask and answer questions about Max, as in the example.

THEN                                                                                               NOW

be very messy                                                                             be very neat

live with his parents                                                                     have his own house

take the bus to the university                                                        have his own car

play soccer                                                                                  go to the gym

wear long hair                                                                             wear short hair

Example:

A: Did Max use to be very neat?

B: No, he didn’t. He used to be very messy.

A: _____________________________________________________________________________

B: _____________________________________________________________________________

A: _____________________________________________________________________________

B: _____________________________________________________________________________

A: _____________________________________________________________________________

B: _____________________________________________________________________________

A: _____________________________________________________________________________

B: _____________________________________________________________________________

Exercise 4.5: Discussion--Life Before Moving to the United States

For this activity, you will work in pairs or small groups to discuss how your life used to be before you moved to the United States.

---

Instructions:

1. Pair up or form small groups of 3–4 students.
2. Take turns asking and answering the questions below. Use "used to" or "would" in your responses.
3. Be prepared to ask follow-up questions to keep the conversation going.

---

Discussion Questions:

1. Daily Routines
   • What did you use to do every morning before you moved to the United States?
   • Did you use to have a routine that you miss now?
2. School or Work
   • What kind of school or job did you use to have?
   • ___ you ___ (study/work) in a similar field back home?
   • What was something you would do regularly at school or work?
3. Food and Traditions
   • What kind of food did your family use to eat at home?
   • Did your family use to celebrate any special holidays or traditions?
4. Hobbies and Free Time
   • What activities did you use to enjoy in your free time?
   • ___ you ___ (spend) time outdoors or at home?
   • Was there something you would do with your friends every weekend?
5. Lifestyle Differences
   • What was one thing you use to find easier in your home country compared to the U.S.?
   • ___ you ___ (travel) often within your country?
6. Challenges and Changes
   • Was there anything you use to dislike about your home country but now miss?
   • ___ you ___ (feel) nervous about moving to the U.S.?

---

Follow-Up Activity:

After the discussion, each group will share one interesting story or cultural difference they learned from their conversation. Try to use "used to" and "would" when you are sharing.

 

Page created with the assistance of Chat GPT

Related page: Used to vs. Be used to

Related page Static Verbs. Also so time-relative clauses After/ Before/ When