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#2 (permalink) Wed Nov 07, 2007 13:28 pm would vs. used to |
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1. When I was younger I would spend hours just kicking ball around the garden.
In this sentence, it is possible to replace 'would' with 'used to' with no change in meaning.
2. I used to like going to pop concerts when I was a teenager.
Here, we can't say 'I would like going' since 'would like' is used in the sense of 'want/desire now'.
We could say 'I would go to pop concerts when I was a teenager', though we wouldn't be saying whether we liked going or not.  |
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Conchita Language Coach

Joined: 26 Dec 2005 Posts: 2826 Location: Madrid, Spain
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#3 (permalink) Wed Nov 07, 2007 13:51 pm would vs. used to |
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Also I know that we can say "I used to be an idiot" and "I used to know that guy" but we can't change "used to" to "would" I forgot the definition of that damn rule, but I'm pretty sure about those examples. (I'd appreciate input on that)
The same thing is with "wish": I wish I knew him, I wish I were clever But I wish he wouldn't spend hours fooling around |
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Lost_Soul I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Posts: 1861 Location: South Park, Colorado, USA
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#4 (permalink) Wed Nov 07, 2007 14:02 pm would vs. used to |
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| Conchita wrote: |
Here, we can't say 'I would like going' since 'would like' is used in the sense of 'want/desire now'.
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Thank you very much. It didn't occure to me that it could be understood as would like in the second sentence. |
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Maxno New Member
Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Petrozavodsk, Russia
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#5 (permalink) Wed Nov 07, 2007 14:23 pm would vs. used to |
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| lost_soul wrote: |
Also I know that we can say "I used to be an idiot" and "I used to know that guy" but we can't change "used to" to "would"
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Yes, because when using would we should mention specific time or set of ocasions. So we should use used to in both your examples.
| lost_soul wrote: |
| The same thing is with "wish" |
Not exactly the same thing (; |
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Maxno New Member
Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Petrozavodsk, Russia
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#6 (permalink) Wed Nov 07, 2007 14:25 pm would vs. used to |
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| lost_soul wrote: |
Also I know that we can say "I used to be an idiot" and "I used to know that guy" but we can't change "used to" to "would" I forgot the definition of that damn rule, but I'm pretty sure about those examples. (I'd appreciate input on that) |
You're right, Alex.
We use can use 'used to' to refer to past states or events which lasted for or were repeated over long periods of time. You don't necessarily have to specifically mention 'when' in the sentence or context.
We use do not use 'would' to refer to lengthy past states. We use 'would' to refer to repeated or habitual past actions or events. When we use 'would' this way, there usually has to be a clear reference to 'when' also in the sentence or context. |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8265 Location: USA
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#7 (permalink) Wed Nov 07, 2007 20:43 pm would vs. used to |
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Hi Maxno,
Let's start with the similarity between 'would' and 'used to'. They both encompass repeated states, activities and feelings in the past. The difference for me lies in their use. 'Used to' suggests what was done repeatedly/habitually then but not now as in: I used to smoke a packet of cigarettes a day - indicates I don't do that now. Again: After breakfast I would smoke one or two cigarettes - indicates such was my practice at that time/then but there is no clear connection with now. 'Would' often points to the past in a reflective/sentimental/ even nostalgic manner and is very frequently used in narrative or in literary forms rather than in conversation.
Alan _________________ English as a Second Language You can read my ESL story Sea Expressions |
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Alan Co-founder

Joined: 27 Sep 2003 Posts: 9205 Location: UK
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#8 (permalink) Tue Aug 18, 2009 9:11 am grammar |
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hi ,
please can you answer me about this question what is the difference between " would" v. "used to "
thank you |
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Mahmed New Member
Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 8 Location: Syria
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Torsten Learning Coach

Joined: 25 Sep 2003 Posts: 10059 Location: EU
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| Examples of Hardly, scarcely and barely | When we use the linking words for example: and, but, luckily, actually etc...? |