used to / would

John James · #1 11-Nov-2005, 16:58

What is the ratio of usage between 'used to' and 'would' for past habits or conditions?

**Tdol** · #2 12-Nov-2005, 08:44

I honestly don't know- it would be tricky to work it out without a close examination of the rsults because 'would' has so many other uses. In Google, 'would' gets 1,470,000,000 results and 'used to' 597,000,000. Both are skewed, as would has other uses and 'used to' could be 'be used to', etc. However, the numbers suggest to me that 'used to' is out in front.

Steven D · #3 14-Nov-2005, 03:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdol

I honestly don't know- it would be tricky to work it out without a close examination of the rsults because 'would' has so many other uses. In Google, 'would' gets 1,470,000,000 results and 'used to' 597,000,000. Both are skewed, as would has other uses and 'used to' could be 'be used to', etc. However, the numbers suggest to me that 'used to' is out in front.

I think "used to" probably occurs more frequently in spoken language and "would", I think, would occur more frequently in narratives and written work. It's hard to say though.

rajan · #4 14-Nov-2005, 06:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by X Mode

I think "used to" probably occurs more frequently in spoken language and "would", I think, would occur more frequently in narratives and written work. It's hard to say though.

My opinion is -

Used to / would is used for Action Verb / Stative Verb
Would is used with only Action Verb

Steven D · #5 14-Nov-2005, 06:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajan

My opinion is -

Used to / would is used for Action Verb / Stative Verb
Would is used with only Action Verb

Right, "used to" is used to express states and repeated or habitual actions, whereas "would" is not used to express states.

SASHO MKD · #6 05-Jan-2006, 13:28

I Use To Go To A Football Match

eddykk · #7 06-Jan-2006, 13:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by SASHO MKD

I Use To Go To A Football Match

as mentioned as Steven D, your sentence is matched with the requirement of habitual actions.

it should be "I useD to go to a football match" ... past tense, "used"

**Tdol** · #8 07-Jan-2006, 05:47

It should be 'used' and 'matches' would make more sense to me for a habitual action.

hoangquanghuy72 · #9 07-Apr-2006, 15:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdol

I honestly don't know- it would be tricky to work it out without a close examination of the rsults because 'would' has so many other uses. In Google, 'would' gets 1,470,000,000 results and 'used to' 597,000,000. Both are skewed, as would has other uses and 'used to' could be 'be used to', etc. However, the numbers suggest to me that 'used to' is out in front.

As I know, used to and would have the same meaning when we mention about "state" in the past for example: It used to be a theater = It would be a theater. However when we mention about "action" the usage is grammartically different for example.
I would be happy if you slowed down the car.