General English B1 · Lesson 5B

Grammar Bank

The rules behind this lesson — form, use, model sentences and the mistakes to avoid.

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Grammar focus of this lesson

Used to / would for past habits

1 structure

used to / would (past habits)
Habits and states that are no longer true.
I've got this
Rules & form
- ›used to + base verb for past habits and states.
- ›Negative / question: didn't use to · Did you use to…?
- ›would + base verb for repeated past actions (not for states).
- ›For a state, only used to: I used to have long hair (not I would have).
Examples
- “We used to do it that way before the new system.”
- “Every summer we would drive to the coast.”
- “I didn't use to like public speaking.”
Watch out · used to (past habit) ≠ be used to + -ing (be accustomed to).
Your own example