Used to vs. would

When we talk about something that happened regularly or repeatedly in the past but not now, we often use the structures `used to + infinitive’ and `would + infinitive’.

used to + infinitive

• We use used to + infinitive when we talk about things that happened in the past but do not happen now. In the negative we say didn’t use to + infinitive:
• I used to live in a large city, but now I live by the seaside.
• I didn’t use to go swimming everyday. Did you use to live in a small or large city?
• We can use this structure with both states and actions:
• Paul used to be very calm when he was younger. Now he’s stressed all the time. (STATE)
• Paul used to work full-time, but now he only takes on part-time jobs. (ACTION)

would + infinitive

• When we are telling a story or recalling a situation from a long time ago, we often prefer to use would to describe repeated behaviour in the past, although both would and used to are possible: 
• I remember growing up in the countryside. It was a peaceful and simple life. I would pick vegetables every day and from time to time I would feed the chickens with my mother.
• Note that would can only describe past events and actions. It is not usually used with states. To
• describe past states we can only use used to:
• Paul would be used to be very calm when he was younger. Now he’s stressed all the time. 

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