Past habits: would w/ state and non-state verbs
One way to referer to past habits is with the structure "used to". Another one is "would". However, one shoud be careful not to use it with state verbs (be, have, etc.) as the meaning would be a different one.
My doubt/ question:
If we use would with non-state verbs, how are we supposed to tell if we're talking about past habits or a condition? Only within the context, right?
Example: "I would run every week". To me it has 2 meanings:
1) I would run every week (if I had more time).
2) I would run every week (in the summer when I was a teen).
Top answer
EyeSeeYou If we use would with non-state verbs, how are we supposed to tell if we're talking about past habits or a condition? Only within the context , right? Exactly.
- EyeSeeYou If we use would with non-state verbs, how are we supposed to tell if we're talking about past habits or a condition?
- Only within the context , right?
- Exactly.
- If you want 'would' to express past habitual action, you need to establish the past time period somewhere in the context, and you need to be sure the clause with 'would' is not associated with an if -clause.
- This is precisely what you have done in your two examples.
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EyeSeeYouIf we use would with non-state verbs, how are we supposed to tell if we're talking about past habits or a condition? Only within the context, right?
Exactly. If you want 'would' to express past habitual action, you need to establish the past time period somewhere in the context, and you need to be sure the clause with 'would' is not associa
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