English learners often find the difference between “would” and “used to” confusing. Both can describe past habits or repeated actions, but their usage differs slightly in meaning and context. Understanding these differences is key to speaking and writing English naturally.
In this guide, you will learn:
- The meanings and rules of “used to” and “would”
- How to use them correctly with examples
- Exercises and tests to improve mastery
- Common mistakes and tips to remember the differences
What is “Used to”
“Used to” is a phrase we use to talk about past habits or states that no longer happen. It emphasizes that something was true in the past but is not true now.
Rules and Usage:
- Affirmative: Subject + used to + base verb
I used to play football every weekend.
- Negative: Subject + didn’t + use to + base verb
I didn’t use to like vegetables.
- Question: Did + subject + use to + base verb?
Did you use to live in London?
Key Points:
- “Used to” can refer to actions (I used to swim every morning) and states (I used to be shy).
- Always talks about the past, never the present.
What is “Would”
“Would” can describe past habits or repeated actions, similar to “used to”, but it cannot describe past states. It is also used in conditional sentences (I would go if I had time), but here we focus on past habits.
Rules and Usage:
- Affirmative: Subject + would + base verb
Every summer, we would visit our grandparents.
- Negative: Subject + would not/wouldn’t + base verb
I wouldn’t eat candy as a child.
- Question: Would + subject + base verb?
Would you play outside after school?
Key Points:
- “Would” is mainly used for repeated actions, not for states.
- Often appears in storytelling or reminiscing about the past.
For improving your skills try to give the test on Used to quiz.
Would VS Used to: Key Differences
| Feature | Used to | Would |
| Past habits | ✅ | ✅ |
| Past states | ✅ | ❌ |
| Negative forms | didn’t use to | wouldn’t |
| Questions | Did … use to? | Would …? |
| Storytelling | Sometimes | Commonly used in narratives |
Examples:
- I used to live in New York. (state)
- When I was a child, I would play in the garden every day. (action)
- I would be shy as a kid. ❌ (incorrect, use “used to be shy”)
Tip: If you are talking about a state, always use used to. If it’s an action, both can work depending on context.
Examples in Sentences
Using “Used to”:
- I used to ride my bike to school.
- She used to love chocolate when she was young.
- They didn’t use to travel abroad.
Using “Would”:
- On Sundays, we would have pancakes for breakfast.
- My father would tell us bedtime stories every night.
- When we visited the park, the children would play for hours.
Exercises and Practice
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with “used to” or “would”
- When I was a child, I ____ watch cartoons every morning.
- She ____ be very shy in school.
- Every summer, we ____ go to the beach.
- He didn’t ____ like vegetables, but now he does.
Exercise 2: Rewrite sentences
- I played football every weekend. → I ____ football every weekend.
- She always told funny stories when we met. → She ____ funny stories when we met.
Answers:
- would
- used to
- would
- use to
- I used to play football every weekend.
- She would tell funny stories when we met.
Tests and Quizzes
Multiple-choice question:
- Which sentence is correct?
a) I would be very tall as a child.
b) I used to be very tall as a child. - Fill in: Every Friday, we ____ have pizza for dinner.
a) used to
b) would
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Using “would” with states: ❌ I would be tired as a kid. I used to be tired as a kid.
- Forgetting negative and question forms: Always use “didn’t use to” and “Did … use to?” for negatives and questions.
- Mixing past and present: “Used to” always refers to the past.
Tips:
- “Would” = actions
- “Used to” = actions + states
Tips to Remember the Difference
- Memory trick:
- State = Used to
- Action = Would or Used to
- When telling stories about the past, both can work, but use “would” for repeated events.
- Use “used to” when emphasizing something that is no longer true.
Read also more related topics: Shall or Will Quiz
FAQs on Would VS Used to
What is the difference between “would” and “used to”?
- Used to can describe past habits and past states that no longer happen.
- Would is mainly used for repeated past actions, especially in storytelling, and cannot describe past states.
Can “would” be used for past states?
- No. Use “used to” when talking about past states.
- I would be shy as a kid.
- I used to be shy as a kid.
How do I form negative sentences with “used to” and “would”?
- Used to: didn’t use to + base verb
- I didn’t use to like vegetables.
- Would: wouldn’t + base verb
- I wouldn’t eat candy as a child.
Can both “would” and “used to” be used for repeated actions
- Yes, but with a subtle difference:
Used to: neutral past habit
- I used to walk to school every day.
Would: often used in storytelling to describe nostalgic or repeated actions
- Every summer, we would visit our grandparents.
How do I form questions with “used to” and “would”?
- Used to: Did + subject + use to + base verb?
Did you use to play football?
- Would: Would + subject + base verb?
Would you visit your grandparents every summer?
Is “used to” only for past actions?
- Yes. “Used to” always refers to something in the past and cannot be used for present or future habits.
What are common mistakes learners make with “would” and “used to”?
- Using would for past states (I would be tired as a child ❌).
- Forgetting the correct negative form (I used not to → correct: I didn’t use to).
- Mixing present and past contexts (I used to go to school every day is correct; I use to go is incorrect).
Any tips to remember the difference
- State = used to
- Action = would or used to
- If emphasizing something no longer true, use used to.
- For storytelling about repeated actions, would works well.
Conclusion
Mastering “would” vs “used to” makes your English sound natural and clear. Remember:
- Used to = past habits + states
- Would = past repeated actions (storytelling)
Practice with exercises, examples, and stories. Over time, choosing the right form will become intuitive.