"Used to" and "would" both describe past habits and routines that no longer happen. However, only "used to" can describe past states or situations. Understanding the difference prevents a very common intermediate-level error.
3 subtopics — pick one to start practising
Used To — Past Habits and States
"Used to + base verb" describes something that was true in the past but is no longer true. It can describe repeated past actions (habits) OR past states (situations). "I used to live in Paris." "She used to be shy." The negative is "didn't use to" and the question form is "Did you use to…?"
Would — Repeated Past Actions
"Would + base verb" describes repeated past actions — things you did regularly in the past. Unlike "used to", it cannot describe past states. "Every summer, we would visit my grandparents." ✓ But: "She would be a teacher." ✗ — you must say "She used to be a teacher." "Would" for past habits is more formal and literary in style.
Used To vs. Would — The Key Difference
The main rule: "Would" describes past repeated ACTIONS only. "Used to" describes past repeated actions AND past STATES. If you can replace "used to" with "would" without changing the meaning, it is an action. If not (e.g., with "be", "have", "know", "live"), use only "used to".