Used to vs Would
Used to and would, are sometimes confused as terms that indicate one and the same meaning, but strictly speaking, there is difference between used to and would when it comes to their sense and inner meanings. Used to and Would are used in the English language with some difference. Used to is a form the verb ‘use’ is used in the English language. On the other hand, would is known as a modal verb. Moreover, would has its origins in the Old English while the word used to has its origins in the Middle English.
What does Used to mean?
The use of used to is meant to indicate the sense of a habit that someone had in the past as in the sentence given below.
He used to drive his car very fast.
In this sentence, the use of the expression used to indicates the habit of the person of ‘driving his car very fast’.
Sometimes, used to is used to indicate the assistance of an object or a thing in the making of another object or a thing. Look at the sentence given below.
Lead is used to make pencils.
In the sentence mentioned above, the term used to indicates the assistance of the element of copper in the making of the object called pencil. This is the main application of the term used to. Regular practice is sometimes suggested by the usage of the expression used to as in the sentence given below.
I used to wake up at 5 in the morning.
In this sentence, you can see that the regular practice of waking up at 5 in the morning is suggested.
What does Would mean?
Would is used primarily as the past tense form of the verb ‘will’ as in the sentence given below.
He would do it.
In this sentence, the use of the verb would is intended in the past tense. The verb would is often used in the assertive sentences as in the case of the examples given below.
He would often make interesting statements.
She would praise him often.
In both the sentences mentioned above, the use of the verb would suggests assertion caused by habit. In the first sentence, it is understood that he has the habit of making interesting statements time and again. In the second sentence, it is understood that she has the habit of praising a person time and again.
What is the difference between Used to and Would?
• The use of used to is meant to indicate the sense of a habit that someone had in the past.
• Sometimes, used to is used to indicate the assistance of an object or a thing in the making of another object or a thing.
• Regular practice is sometimes suggested by the usage of the expression used to as well.
• On the other hand, would is used primarily as the past tense form of the verb will.
• The verb would is often used in the assertive sentences.
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