Table of Contents
English learners often feel confused when choosing between used to and would to talk about the past. This post gives you a simple explanation, followed by easy and effective exercises to help you master the difference.
For a quick recap, jump to the last section of the post.
What This Post Covers
- A concise explanation of used to vs would
- When they can and cannot be used
- Exercises using both forms
- Answers for quick self-checking
Used to Vs Would Exercises
Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Option
Complete each sentence with used to or would.
- When I was a child, I ___ play outside until it got dark.
- My brother ___ be very shy, but now he is confident.
- Every weekend, we ___ visit our cousins in the countryside.
- She ___ have long curly hair when she was younger.
- In the evenings, my father ___ read to us while we sat by the fire.
- They ___ live near the coast before moving inland.
- During summer holidays, the kids ___ stay up late.
- He ___ hate vegetables, but now he loves them.
- On cold nights, we ___ sit around the fireplace and talk.
- I ___ know all the neighbours in my old neighbourhood.
1. When I was a child, I used to / would play outside until it got dark.
2. My brother used to be very shy, but now he is confident.
3. Every weekend, we used to / would visit our cousins in the countryside.
4. She used to have long curly hair when she was younger.
5. In the evenings, my father used to / would read to us while we sat by the fire.
6. They used to live near the coast before moving inland.
7. During summer holidays, the kids used to / would stay up late.
8. He used to hate vegetables, but now he loves them.
9. On cold nights, we used to / would sit around the fireplace and talk.
10. I used to know all the neighbours in my old neighbourhood.
2. My brother used to be very shy, but now he is confident.
3. Every weekend, we used to / would visit our cousins in the countryside.
4. She used to have long curly hair when she was younger.
5. In the evenings, my father used to / would read to us while we sat by the fire.
6. They used to live near the coast before moving inland.
7. During summer holidays, the kids used to / would stay up late.
8. He used to hate vegetables, but now he loves them.
9. On cold nights, we used to / would sit around the fireplace and talk.
10. I used to know all the neighbours in my old neighbourhood.
Exercise 2: Rewrite the Sentences Using Used To or Would
Rewrite each sentence so it correctly uses used to or would.
- When I was young, I lived in Paris. → …
- Every Friday, we visited my grandparents. → …
- She played the piano every afternoon. → …
- I was afraid of the dark. → …
- They walked to school every day. → …
- We ate dinner together every night. → …
- My sister loved reading fairy tales. → …
- He collected stamps when he was a child. → …
- During summer, we went swimming almost every day. → …
- She had a red bicycle that she rode everywhere. → …
1. I used to live in Paris.
2. We would visit / We used to visit my grandparents every Friday.
3. She would play / She used to play the piano every afternoon.
4. I used to be afraid of the dark.
5. They would walk / They used to walk to school every day.
6. We would eat / We used to eat dinner together every night.
7. My sister used to love reading fairy tales.
8. He used to collect / He would collect stamps when he was a child.
9. During summer, we would go / we used to go swimming almost every day.
10. She used to have a red bicycle that she rode everywhere.
2. We would visit / We used to visit my grandparents every Friday.
3. She would play / She used to play the piano every afternoon.
4. I used to be afraid of the dark.
5. They would walk / They used to walk to school every day.
6. We would eat / We used to eat dinner together every night.
7. My sister used to love reading fairy tales.
8. He used to collect / He would collect stamps when he was a child.
9. During summer, we would go / we used to go swimming almost every day.
10. She used to have a red bicycle that she rode everywhere.
Exercise 3: Identify Which Form Is Possible (Used To, Would, or Both)
For each sentence, write Used to, Would, or Both.
- When I was a kid, I ___ swim in the river every weekend.
- She ___ live in Toronto when she was a student.
- My father ___ tell us stories before bedtime.
- I ___ have a pet rabbit named Coco.
- In the evenings, we ___ watch movies together.
1. Both
2. Used to
3. Would
4. Used to
5. Both
2. Used to
3. Would
4. Used to
5. Both
Quick Recap: Used To vs Would
Would or Used to: Explanation
1. Used to
- Use used to + base verb to talk about:
- past habits
- past states (be, have, live, like, know, etc.)
- ✔️ I used to live in London.
- ✔️ She used to be shy.
2. Would
- Use would + base verb to talk about:
- past repeated actions, especially in stories
- not for past states
- ✔️ Every summer, we would visit my grandparents.
- ❌ I would live in London. (not a repeated action)
More about the use of “would“.
