English grammar
Every year + used to / would
Talk about yearly traditions using used to / would.
From the scene We always used to eat octopus
In short
For yearly traditions, start with used to, then use would for repeated actions. For feelings, use the past simple.
Your turn
Which one goes with a repeated action: would?
Options: my grandmother would cook · every year we used to eat octopus · I loved it (not "I would love it")
Show answer
a repeated action: would → my grandmother would cook
How it works
For yearly traditions, use used to, then would to avoid repeating it: every year we used to eat octopus… my grandmother would cook.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Every year, we (blank) eat octopus on Christmas Eve.
Options: used to · use to · would to
Show answer
Every year, we used to eat octopus on Christmas Eve.
Todos los años, comíamos pulpo en Nochebuena.
Good to know
Would only works for actions, not feelings or states. Say "I loved it", not "I would love it" (that means something else).
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
We also (blank) eat empanada and seafood.
Options: use to · used to · would to
Show answer
We also used to eat empanada and seafood.
También comíamos empanada y marisco.
a tradition: used to every year we used to eat octopus
a repeated action: would my grandmother would cook
Nuria
My grandmother would cook every year.
Mi abuela cocinaba todos los años.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) every year.
Options: I loved it · My grandmother would cook · Every year we used to eat octopus
Show answer
Nuria
My grandmother would cook every year.
Mi abuela cocinaba todos los años.
a feeling: past simple I loved it (not "I would love it")
Nuria
Yes, I loved it.
Sí, me encantaba.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Yes, (blank).
Options: I loved it · Every year we used to eat octopus · My grandmother would cook
Show answer
Nuria
Yes, I loved it.
Sí, me encantaba.
asking about the habit who used to cut the octopus?
Your turn
What goes with who used to cut the octopus??
Options: a repeated action: would · asking about the habit · a tradition: used to
Show answer
who used to cut the octopus? → asking about the habit
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| a tradition: used to | every year we used to eat octopus |
|---|---|
| a repeated action: would | my grandmother would cook |
| a feeling: past simple | I loved it (not "I would love it") |
| asking about the habit | who used to cut the octopus? |
More lines from the story
- NuriaEvery year, we used to eat octopus on Christmas Eve.Todos los años, comíamos pulpo en Nochebuena.
- NuriaWe also used to eat empanada and seafood.También comíamos empanada y marisco.
- NuriaMy brother Diego. This year... you.Mi hermano Diego. Este año... tú.
- JaviOctopus? Did you like it as a kid?¿Pulpo? ¿Te gustaba de pequeña?