Used to and Would-Repeated Events

Repeated Past Events

How do you talk about an activity you did in the past?

Used to

I used to go camping with my family when I was a little girl.This is a repeated action in the past.

used to + verb

didn't use to

• We didn't use to go on fancy, expensive vacations because my family wasn't wealthy.

• didn't use to + verb

• Notice the verb "use"

• It is NOT didn't used to go

Would

• I would play with dolls for hours with my friends. We would pretend to play school.

• 
  

  would + verb(no change)

Wouldn't

I wouldn't talk back to my mother, ever!!

Used to and Would

• We used "used to" to talk about repeated events in the past

• We use "would" to talk about repeated events in the past

• We DO NOT use "would" to talk a repeated situation in the past

Used to and Would

• We used "used to" to talk about things we did in the past

• We use "would" to talk about things we did in the past

• We don't use "would" to talk about PAST situations OR states of being

Wrong:

• I would live in Los Angeles when I grew up.

• I would be a ballet dancer.

• We would have an old yellow car.

Correct

• I used to live in Los Angeles when I was younger.

• I used to be a ballet dancer.

• We used to have an old yellow car.

How about you?

• Where did you used to live when you were younger?

• What did you used to play when you were younger?

• Where would you play these games?