CEFR B1 · 5 min
I used to start every shift with a double espresso I pulled myself. I would stand at the empty bar at 5 PM, before any guests arrived, and just breathe. I do not do that anymore — different country, different life. That gap between then and now is exactly what ‘used to’ is for.
Today's focus: Used to + infinitive (past habits/states); would + infinitive (past habits only)
Used to describes habits AND states in the past that have now changed:
- ‘I used to smoke.’ (habit, now stopped)
- ‘He used to be very shy.’ (state, now changed)
Would describes repeated past actions only — NOT states:
- ‘She would check the reservations twice every night.’ ✓
- ‘I would live there.’ ✗ (state — cannot use ‘would’ here)
Simple rule: If you can replace it with ‘used to’, ‘would’ probably works. But ‘used to’ can go where ‘would’ cannot.
Examples in context
Try it — click to reveal the answer
▶ Which is correct? ‘I ___ live in Paris, but now I’m in Réunion.’ (used to / would)
States: live, be, know, believe, have, love. These only work with ‘used to’, not ‘would’.
▶ Both correct or one wrong? ‘I used to drink coffee every morning.’ / ‘I would drink coffee every morning.’
For actions, both forms work. Only ‘used to’ works for states.
▶ What is the question form of ‘used to’?
Question: ‘Did you use to live in Australia?’ Negative: ‘I didn’t use to drink tea.’
For states (live, be, have, know): only used to. For repeated actions: both used to and would work. When unsure, use ‘used to’ — it’s always safe.
Independent project; not affiliated with, endorsed by, or accredited by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Confers no qualification. Cambridge CELTA course completed — 120 supervised teaching hours and four written assignments validated to the required standard.