Often/used to

AnonymousHe often smoked when he was younger.

He smoked on many occasions when he was younger. This does not tell use if he smokes now.

AnonymousHe used to smoke when he was younger.

He smoked when he was young but does not smoke now.

AnonymousHe used to often smoke when he was younger.

Hi Louise,
Thank you very much for your explanation.

LouiseTHe used to often smoke when he was younger.This phrase should be. " He often used to smoke.. (or) He used to smoke often..When he was young he smoked on many occasions, he does not do this now.

Can it mean he still smokes but doesn't do that often now?

"used to" is mainly used to describe something that we did and no longer do. I think if I wanted to say that he still smokes but not as often I would say - " He used to smoke more often when he was younger"

Hi LouiseT,
Thank you for the explanation. I know the word 'would' has the similar meaning as 'used to' and means habitual past actions, but I'm not sure if the actions don't happen now.

For example:
1."He would smoke every day when he was young."

Does it mean he smoked every day when he was young but does not smoke any more now or we can't be sure ?

2."He woul

Used to and would can mean the same thing but they are not used in the same way.

In my opinion you can only substitute one for the other for repeated actions and events.

For example:-
He often used to go to the beach. He would often go to the beach.
When I was a student I used to play the saxophone. When I was a student I would play the

Hi LouiseT,

LouiseTHe often used to go to the beach.
He would often go to the beach.When I was a student I used to play the saxophone.
When I was a student I would play the saxaphone.
Does 'would often' sound like the speaker is reminiscing the past in the above sentences but 'often used to' imply a habit in the past in the above sentences?
Is that their