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Old 11-Nov-2005, 16:58
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Default used to / would

What is the ratio of usage between 'used to' and 'would' for past habits or conditions?
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Old 12-Nov-2005, 08:44
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Default Re: used to / would

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.
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Old 14-Nov-2005, 03:01
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Default Re: used to / would

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.
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Old 14-Nov-2005, 06:18
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Default Re: used to / would

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
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Old 14-Nov-2005, 06:26
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Default Re: used to / would

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.
  #6  
Old 05-Jan-2006, 13:28
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Default Re: used to / would

I Use To Go To A Football Match
  #7  
Old 06-Jan-2006, 13:12
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Default Re: used to / would

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"
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Old 07-Jan-2006, 05:47
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Default Re: used to / would

It should be 'used' and 'matches' would make more sense to me for a habitual action.
  #9  
Old 07-Apr-2006, 15:57
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Default Re: used to / would

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.
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Old 06-Nov-2006, 12:54
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Default Re: used to / would

Quote:
Originally Posted by John James View Post
What is the ratio of usage between 'used to' and 'would' for past habits or conditions?
Used to is a past habit, whereas would shows a kind of wish in the past.
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