EXPRESSING HABITS
In addition to the Past Simple tense, which can denote habits in the past, the same can also be achieved with the forms used to and would.
USED TO (+INFINITIVE)
- refers to past habits and states which are not true anymore. It can be used with both action verbs and state verbs (those expressing states, such as be, have, etc.):
o I used to train swimming.
o We used to have a dog.
- when forming questions and negative statements, the correct form is use to, as the tense is expressed by the main verb:
o Why did you use to hate dancing?
o I did not use to go for walks.
WOULD (+ INFINITIVE)
- describes repeated past actions, but not states. It can only be used with action verbs.
o In those days, I would have a cup of coffee every morning.
o We would have a dog when I was little. This sentence is incorrect because 'have' is a state verb.
- it is more sentimental than used to:
o We would go dancing every night.
In addition to the Past Simple tense, which can denote habits in the past, the same can also be achieved with the forms used to and would.
USED TO (+INFINITIVE)
- refers to past habits and states which are not true anymore. It can be used with both action verbs and state verbs (those expressing states, such as be, have, etc.):
o I used to train swimming.
o We used to have a dog.
- when forming questions and negative statements, the correct form is use to, as the tense is expressed by the main verb:
o Why did you use to hate dancing?
o I did not use to go for walks.
WOULD (+ INFINITIVE)
- describes repeated past actions, but not states. It can only be used with action verbs.
o In those days, I would have a cup of coffee every morning.
o We would have a dog when I was little. This sentence is incorrect because 'have' is a state verb.
- it is more sentimental than used to:
o We would go dancing every night.