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Used to / Would – English Grammar

Used to / Would is used in English when we talk about something that happened regularly in the past but no longer happens. For example: I used to smoke a packet a day but I stopped two years ago. Ben

Used to / Would is used in English when we talk about something that happened regularly in the past but no longer happens. For example:

  • I used to smoke a packet a day but I stopped two years ago.
  • Ben used to travel a lot in his job but now, since his promotion, he doesn't.
  • I used to drive to work but now I take the bus.

Used to / Would is also used in English when we talk about something that was true but is no longer. For example:

  • There used to be a cinema in the town but now there isn't.
  • She used to have really long hair but she's had it all cut off.
  • I didn't use to like him but now I do.

When we talk about past states, we can only use Used to, not Would. For example:

  • We used to live in New York when I was a kid.
  • We would live in New York when I was a kid.

The use of 'Used to' in English differs from 'to be used to' and 'to get used to'.

To be used to

To be used to is used when we talk about something normal that is not unusual. For example:

  • I'm used to living on my own. I've done it for quite a long time.
  • Hans has lived in England for over a year so he is used to driving on the left now.
  • They've always lived in hot countries so they aren't used to the cold weather here.

To get used to

To get used to is used when we talk about the process of becoming accustomed to something. For example:

  • I didn't understand the accent when I first moved here but I quickly got used to it.
  • She has started working nights and is still getting used to sleeping during the day.
  • I have always lived in the country but now I'm beginning to get used to living in the city.

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