Difference Between Used To and Would

Summary

This video lesson explains two common ways to describe past events: 'used to' and 'would.' Both phrases can indicate repeated or habitual actions in the past that no longer happen. 'Used to' is also used for permanent actions or states, while 'would' is not. The lesson covers forms for statements, negatives, and questions with both phrases and provides examples to highlight the differences. It also explains that 'would' can occasionally be used with stative verbs in temporary states. The video concludes by encouraging viewers to engage through likes and subscriptions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Used to and would are both used to describe regular or repeated actions in the past.
• 🚌 Both 'I used to go to school by bus' and 'I would go to school by bus' can mean the same thing.
• ⚠️ 'Used to' and 'would' are for actions that no longer happen; they describe past habits.
• ❌ In negative forms, 'used to' becomes 'didn't use to', without the 'd'.
• ❓ While 'would' can be used in questions, it's not very common in this context.
• 🏙️ 'Used to' is for permanent past actions or states, like 'I used to live in New York'.
• 💡 'Would' cannot describe permanent actions in the past, only 'used to' can.
• 🍦 'Used to' works with stative verbs like 'like', 'own', and 'believe', e.g., 'I used to like ice cream'.
• 😌 'Would' can be used with temporary states, especially with adverbs of frequency, e.g., 'I would sometimes feel lonely'.
• 📚 Stative verbs like 'own' and 'believe' can only be used with 'used to', not 'would'.

Q & A

What are two common ways to describe regular or repeated actions in the past?

The two common ways to describe regular or repeated actions in the past are 'used to' and 'would'.

Do 'used to' and 'would' have the same meaning when describing past habits?

'Used to' and 'would' can have the same meaning when describing past habits or repeated actions.

When do we use 'used to' or 'would'?

We use 'used to' or 'would' when talking about actions that were regular or repeated in the past but no longer happen.

How do we form a negative sentence with 'used to'?

In the negative form, 'used to' becomes 'didn’t use to', without the 'd' at the end of 'use'.

What is the negative form of 'would'?

The negative form of 'would' is 'wouldn't'.

Can 'would' be used for permanent actions in the past?

No, 'would' is not used for permanent actions in the past. Only 'used to' can describe permanent or long-lasting actions.

Why can't we say 'I would live in New York ten years ago'?

'I would live in New York ten years ago' is incorrect because living is a permanent action, and 'would' is not used for permanent actions in the past. We should say 'I used to live in New York'.

Can 'would' be used with stative verbs like 'like' or 'believe'?

'Would' is generally not used with stative verbs such as 'like' or 'believe', because these describe states rather than actions. Only 'used to' is appropriate for stative verbs.

What are some examples of stative verbs that don't work with 'would'?

Some examples of stative verbs include 'love', 'hate', 'believe', 'own', 'want', and 'understand'. These verbs describe states rather than actions, so 'would' is not used with them.

Can 'would' ever be used with stative verbs in any context?

'Would' can sometimes be used with stative verbs if the state is temporary and combined with adverbs of frequency, such as 'sometimes' or 'often'. For example, 'I would sometimes feel lonely in that place.'