Understanding Past Habits and States: A Guide to 'Used To' and 'Would'

In this episode of 6 Minute Grammar, hosts Finn and Catherine explore the nuances of discussing the past, specifically focusing on the grammatical structures "used to" and "would." These forms are essential for distinguishing between repeated past actions and states that no longer exist in the present.

Expressing Repeated Actions and Habits

When we describe actions that happened regularly in the past, both "used to" and "would" are often interchangeable. Finn provides personal anecdotes, noting, "I used to wake up every night at around midnight and I would get out of bed."

Key takeaways for usage include:

• Structure: Both forms are followed by an infinitive without "to" (e.g., "I would get out of bed," "The bus used to take half an hour").
• Contractions: "Would" frequently uses the contracted form, such as "we'd go for a drink" or "I'd get dressed," whereas "used to" does not have a contracted form.

Describing Past States and Situations

It is crucial to note that "would" cannot be used to describe past states or long-term situations. For these scenarios, only "used to" is appropriate. The podcast provides clear examples:

• "Zina used to live in Taiwan."
• "I used to love cooking."
• "There used to be a restaurant here."

As the hosts point out, one cannot say, "There would be a restaurant here," because "would" is strictly reserved for repeated actions rather than permanent or continuous states.

Negatives and Questions: The Importance of the 'D'

Grammatical accuracy in negative sentences and questions is a common area of confusion. When using "used to" in these forms, the "d" is dropped from "used."

• Negative Sentences: Use the structure: Subject + didn't + use to + infinitive. For example, Catherine notes, "I didn't used to sleepwalk" (written as didn't use to).
• Questions: Use the structure: Did/Didn't + subject + use to + infinitive. Finn asks, "Did you use to do anything strange?" or "Didn't you use to sleep in your bed?"

In positive sentences, however, "used to" retains the "d" at the end of "used."

The Negative of 'Would'

Unlike "used to," the negative form of "would" is straightforwardly "wouldn't." Catherine illustrates this by saying, "I would get into bed, but I wouldn't stay there." This form remains consistent across statements and questions, such as asking, "Wouldn't you go back to bed?"

Summary of Common Pitfalls

To solidify these concepts, the hosts conclude with a quiz highlighting frequent errors:

1. Spelling: Always remember to include the "d" in positive sentences ("I used to go to the beach").
2. States vs. Actions: Do not use "would" for states. For instance, "Suleiman would have blonde hair" is incorrect; it must be "Suleiman used to have blonde hair."
3. Question Formation: Always use the auxiliary "did" for "used to" questions, rather than "do" (e.g., "Did you use to live in Beijing?" is correct, while "Do you used to..." is wrong).

By mastering these distinctions, learners can more accurately narrate their past lives and habits, ensuring they choose the correct verb form for the context of their story.