Used to and would
Talk about past habits and states that are no longer true with used to and would — and understand be/get used to.
In this lesson you will
- Use used to for past habits and states
- Use would for repeated past actions
- Distinguish used to from be/get used to
Learn
used to + base verb = past habits or states that aren’t true now: I used to live in Kraków. I used to hate vegetables. Negative: didn’t use to. Question: Did you use to…?
would + base verb = repeated past actions (not states), common in storytelling: Every summer we would drive to the coast. Not: I would have long hair ✗ (state → used to).
be used to + -ing/noun = be familiar with: I’m used to getting up early. get used to = become familiar: I’m getting used to the cold.
Present habits use the present simple, not use to: I usually walk to work.
Examples
- We used to have a dog called Max.
- Did you use to play any instruments?
- My grandmother would tell us stories every evening.
- It took me months to get used to driving on the left.
Vocabulary
used to
did in the past but not now
be used to
be familiar with
get used to
become familiar with
habit
something you do regularly
nowadays
at the present time
Practice
I ___ play football every weekend when I was a kid.
Speaking
Compare your childhood with now: five things you used to do, two things your family would do every year, and something you’re getting used to now.
Writing
Write about how your town or a place you know has changed (80–100 words) using used to, didn’t use to and would.
Lesson quiz
There ___ be a cinema here.
Review
Key points
- used to + verb = past habits/states.
- would + verb = repeated past actions only.
- be/get used to + -ing = familiar / becoming familiar.
What you learned
- ✓ I can talk about past habits.
- ✓ I can use would in stories.
- ✓ I know used to vs be used to.
Grammar reference: Used to and would (past habits)