Used to + Would for past habits and routines

Talking about past habits is a big part of sharing memories and stories in English.

Two common ways to express repeated past actions are “used to” and “would”.

This free English grammar lesson will show you how to use would and used to to talk about things you did in the past.

“Used to” and “Would” for past actions

When do we use “used to” and “would”?

We use “used to” and “would” to describe actions or habits that happened regularly in the past but no longer happen now.

• I used to play football every weekend. (This was my regular habit, but I don’t do it now.)
• When we lived in the city, we would walk to the market every day. (A repeated action in the past.)
• She used to have long hair. (A past state – we can’t use “would” here.)

Remember: “Would” is only for actions, not for states.

How to form “used to” and “would”

Used to + base verb Would + base verb

Subject	Used to	Base Verb	Example
I	used to	go	I used to go fishing.
He	would	read	He would read every night.

More examples:

• They used to travel a lot before the baby was born.
• We would eat dinner together every Sunday.
• My brother used to live in Spain.

Used to / would: extra info

• “Used to” becomes “use to” in negatives and questions:
  • Did you use to ride a bike?
  • I didn’t use to like coffee.
• Pronunciation tip: “used to” is often pronounced /ˈjuːst tuː/ with a soft “d” sound blending into the “t”. In fast speech, it may sound like “yoost to”.
• Avoid using “would” with non-action verbs: Common non-action verbs (also called stative verbs) include “believe”, “own”, “know”, and “understand”. These usually describe mental states or conditions, not actions. Example:
  • Incorrect: We would own a car.
  • Correct: We used to own a car.
  • Incorrect: I would have a dog. X
  • Correct: I used to have a dog.
• Emphasis and storytelling: “Would” is often used in storytelling or writing to create rhythm or highlight repeated behavior:
  • On summer evenings, Dad would sit on the porch and would tell stories from his youth.

How to pronounce “would” for past actions

Would for past actions often becomes “‘d” in natural speech. Try not to confuse ‘d (= would) with ‘d (=had):

• Would is often contracted in spoken and written English. We usually write ‘d after the subject:
  • I would go → I ‘d go
  • She would read → She ‘d read
• In fast, natural speech, ‘d is usually very soft and often linked directly to the next word, especially if the next word starts with a vowel sound:
  • He ‘d always help us. (sounds like “heed always”)
• Be careful not to confuse ‘d with “had” – only context shows the meaning:
  • I ‘d gone (past perfect: had gone)
  • I ‘d go (conditional or past habit: would go)

“Used to” and “Would” examples in context

Model dialogue

This conversation shows natural use of “used to” and “would” in context:

• A: So, did you use to live by the sea, then?
• B: Yes, I did. I used to live in Cornwall, actually.
• A: Oh, really? So, what did you use to do there, then? Was there much to do?
• B: Yeah, in fact, we‘d often go surfing. We used to go almost every weekend, actually. I used to love surfing.
• A: I bet you did.

Short diary entry

This diary entry shows how to use past habit structures in writing:

When I was a teenager, I used to spend hours reading in the attic. My grandmother would bring me snacks and we‘d talk about books. I used to dream about becoming a writer.

Used to / would exercises

Exercise 1 – Complete the sentences

Fill in the blank with the correct form of “used to” or “would” and the base verb in brackets.

1. When I was little, I ___________ (watch) cartoons every morning.
2. My parents ___________ (take) us to the beach every summer.
3. She ___________ (not like) coffee, but now she loves it.
4. We ___________ (have) a cat named Whiskers.
5. ___________ you ___________ (play) outside after school?

Exercise 2 – Correct the mistake

Find and fix the errors in these sentences.

1. He would know all the answers in class.
2. I didn’t used to travel so much.
3. Did she used to go there often?
4. They use to live in that house.
5. We would be tired after work.

Exercise 3 – Choose the right option

1. I ___________ go jogging every morning.
   • a) use to
   • b) used to
   • c) would to
2. Which sentence is correct?
   • a) Did you used to like jazz?
   • b) Did you use to like jazz?
   • c) Did you use jazz to like?
3. “Would” cannot be used with:
   • a) eat dinner together
   • b) live in a city
   • c) go running every night

Answer key

Exercise 1

1. used to watch
2. would take
3. didn’t use to like
4. used to have
5. Did, use to play

Exercise 2

1. Incorrect: would know → Correct: used to know
2. Incorrect: didn’t used to → Correct: didn’t use to
3. Incorrect: used to → Correct: use to
4. Incorrect: use to → Correct: used to
5. Incorrect: would be (state) → Correct: used to be

Exercise 3

1. b) used to
2. b) Did you use to like jazz?
3. b) live in a city