used to / would (past habits)

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In short

Use used to + base verb for habits and states that were true in the past but are not true now. would + base verb can replace it for repeated past actions, but not for past states.

The rule

used to + base verb describes:

past habits (things you did regularly): I used to play tennis.
past states (things that were true for a long time): She used to have long hair. There used to be a shop here.

The key idea is change: used to always means it is different now. If nothing has changed, you cannot use it.

Form note: after the auxiliary did, the spelling drops the -d: write use to, not “used to”.

Sentence type	Form	Example
Positive	used to + base	I used to smoke.
Negative	didn’t use to + base	I didn’t use to like coffee.
Question	Did + subject + use to + base?	Did you use to live here?

would + base verb also describes repeated past actions when you are telling a story or remembering: Every summer we would drive to the coast. But would needs a dynamic, repeated action. It does not work for states:

Action (OK): He would call me every night.
State (NOT OK): ~~I would have a car.~~ ~~She would live in Rome.~~ -> use used to here.

Watch out - a different structure: be/get used to + -ing is NOT about the past. be used to + -ing = “be accustomed to” (something is normal for you now), and get used to + -ing = “become accustomed”. See the table below.

Structure	Meaning	Example
used to + base	past habit/state (changed)	I used to walk to work.
be used to + -ing	be accustomed to (now)	I’m used to walking to work.
get used to + -ing	become accustomed	I’m getting used to walking to work.

Forms & patterns

	used to	would
Past habit (action)	yes	yes
Past state	yes	no
Negative	didn’t use to	wouldn’t (rare for habits)
Question	Did you use to…?	(not normally used)
Implies change vs now	yes	not necessarily

The plain past simple also works for past habits: I walked to work for years. Choose used to / would when you want to highlight the contrast with now or set a nostalgic, reminiscing tone.

Examples

English	Note
We used to live in a small flat near the station.	Past state - we don’t live there now.
There used to be a cinema on this corner.	Past state with “there be”; it’s gone now.
My grandfather would tell us stories every evening.	Repeated past action; reminiscing tone.
Did you use to play an instrument at school?	Question form: `use to`, no -d after did.
I didn’t use to enjoy reading, but now I love it.	Negative form; clear contrast with now.
On Sundays we would walk in the forest for hours.	Repeated action - “would” fits naturally.
She used to be really shy as a child.	Past state (“be”); use `used to`, not `would`.
I’m used to getting up early now, so it’s easy.	Different structure: be used to + -ing = accustomed.

Common mistakes

~~I use to play football.~~ -> I used to play football. - In positive sentences keep the -d: used to.
~~Did you used to smoke?~~ -> Did you use to smoke? - After did, drop the -d: use to.
~~I would have a bike when I was young.~~ -> I used to have a bike. - “have” here is a state, so would is wrong.
~~I’m used to drink coffee in the morning.~~ -> I used to drink coffee (past habit) OR I’m used to drinking coffee (now normal) - choose the right structure.
~~She used to lived in Rome.~~ -> She used to live in Rome. - used to is always followed by the base verb.

Tips

Memory hook: used to + base = “different now”. If nothing changed, use the plain past simple instead.
would for habits needs an action verb you can repeat (go, call, walk, play). For “be”, “have”, “live”, “know”, use used to.
Spelling rule: did already carries the past meaning, so the main verb goes back to base form -> Did you use to…? / I didn’t use to….
Don’t mix up used to + base (past) with be used to + -ing (accustomed, present). The -ing is the giveaway.