English grammar
Used to vs would (state verbs)
Describe what a place was like and what you used to do there.
From the scene It was, I went, I saw
In short
For repeated past actions, use used to or would. For states, use the past simple or used to, never would.
Your turn
Which one goes with a repeated action?
Options: we used to watch the baker's son · I would go / I used to go to mass · this square was my favourite (not "would be")
Show answer
a repeated action → we used to watch the baker's son
How it works
For repeated past actions you can use used to OR would: I would go to mass, we used to watch the baker's son.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
And my friends and I (blank) watch the baker's son.
Options: were used to · use to · used to
Show answer
And my friends and I used to watch the baker's son.
Y mis amigas y yo veíamos al hijo del panadero.
Good to know
For states (be, have, like, know) use was/were or used to — never would: "this square was my favourite", not "would be my favourite".
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
He (blank) very handsome. We all used to go to mass.
Clue: a state — not would
Options: was · would be · used
Show answer
He was very handsome. We all used to go to mass.
Era muy guapo. Todas íbamos a misa.
Good to know
For what was visible, say you could see.
a repeated action: would or used to I would go / I used to go to mass
Nuria
On Sundays, I would go to mass with my grandmother.
Los domingos, iba a misa con mi abuela.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
On Sundays, (blank) to mass with my grandmother.
Options: I would go · We used to watch the baker's son · This square was my favourite
Show answer
Nuria
On Sundays, I would go to mass with my grandmother.
Los domingos, iba a misa con mi abuela.
a repeated action we used to watch the baker's son
Your turn
What goes with we used to watch the baker's son?
Options: a repeated action: would or used to · a state: was, never would · a repeated action
Show answer
we used to watch the baker's son → a repeated action
a state: was, never would this square was my favourite (not "would be")
Nuria
This square was my favourite.
Esta plaza era mi favorita.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: This square was my favourite · I used to go to mass · We used to watch the baker's son
Show answer
Nuria
This square was my favourite.
Esta plaza era mi favorita.
what was visible you could see the sea
Nuria
You could see the sea and the mountains.
Se veían el mar y las montañas.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) and the mountains.
Options: I used to go to mass · We used to watch the baker's son · You could see the sea
Show answer
Nuria
You could see the sea and the mountains.
Se veían el mar y las montañas.
Common mistake
Not would be or used to being here. A past state, not a repeated action.
This square was my favourite.
Esta plaza era mi favorita.
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 repeated action: would or used to | I would go / I used to go to mass |
|---|---|
| a repeated action | we used to watch the baker's son |
| a state: was, never would | this square was my favourite (not "would be") |
| what was visible | you could see the sea |
More lines from the story
- NuriaAnd my friends and I used to watch the baker's son.Y mis amigas y yo veíamos al hijo del panadero.
- NuriaHe was very handsome. We all used to go to mass.Era muy guapo. Todas íbamos a misa.
- NuriaYes, but the neighbours were like a family.Sí, pero los vecinos eran como una familia.