simple past tense vs habitual past 'would'

Question

I came across a piece of writing that used the habitual past 'would' to describe a series of things one does during summers.

"Every summer, John would visit the camp. He would organize tours, go climbing, arrange the transportation, and plan next year's resources."

Someone said that use of 'would' makes weak prose and to make the writing stronger one can use straight past tense.

"Every summer, John visited the camp. He organized tours, went climbing, arranged the transportation, and planned next year's resources."

I speak American english and the second one doesn't sound like a habitual action and sounds as if it describes one-time organizing of tours, arranging of transporation etc, by John. Is there a difference?

Is use of "would" writing in the above and if yes why?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Typo: Is the use of "would" as shown in the writing above makes writing weak, and if yes why?

Mister Micawber · Answer

AnonymousIs use of "would" writing in the above make it weaker and if yes why?

It does not make the information weaker; I suppose that the critic who called it 'weak prose' didn't like the style, and it is somewhat dated, I admit; that would be its weakness in a time where directness is valued in prose style. Nevertheless, this 'would' form is stronger if the writer wishes to emphasize the habitual nature of the past activity; simple past is simply that: a simple statement of past action.

Anonymousthe second one doesn't sound like a habitual action and sounds as if it describes one-time organizing of tours,

The phrase 'every summer' ensures that that interpretation is incorrect.

Anonymous · Answer

- Is their evidence in style manuals or other authoritative references (say if NY Times avoid its usage) that the use of 'would' is dated? There are certain pieces of writing where it seems one would prefer to use "would" instead of describing things in straight past.

For example if someone is writing a piece about village life in the Victorian era in a personal manner describing a person actions. It may make more sense to write it using 'would.'

- if there were no "every summer" in the beginning of the simple past tense example, wouldn't that make it sound like a one-time action?

- what meaning would mix and match of 'would' and simple past tense convey? e.g. differences between "Every summer, John would visit the camp. He organized tours, went climbing, arranged the transportation, and planned next year's resources.", and "Every summer, John visited the camp. He would organize tours, go climbing, arrange the transportation, and plan next year's resources." etc.

Mister Micawber · Answer

AnonymousIs their evidence in style manuals or other authoritative references (say if NY Times avoid its usage) that the use of 'would' is dated?

I don't know; style manuals don't include that sort of information. It is my opinion: I see it less, that is all.

Anonymous a piece about village life in the Victorian era

The Victorian era is rather dated, don't you think?

Anonymous if there were no "every summer" in the beginning of the simple past tense example, wouldn't that make it sound like a one-time action?

Of course, but there it is.

Anonymouswhat meaning would mix and match of 'would' and simple past tense convey?

It suggests to me that too many 'would's is clunky. One will serve the purpose.

Anonymous · Answer

Anonymous a piece about village life in the Victorian era
The Victorian era is rather dated, don't you think?

Yes, but say this is about a "current" piece describing some old activity. Would it still look dated and thereby conveys a feeling of "weak" writing?

Does using only one 'would' then is better/less clunky than either options -- all simple past, or all would?

Mister Micawber · Answer

AnonymousYes, but say this is about a "current" piece describing some old activity. Would it still look dated and thereby conveys a feeling of "weak" writing?

Then I suspect it would fit right in.

AnonymousDoes using only one 'would' then is better/less clunky than either options -- all simple past, or all would?

Yes. One clunk stresses the habit; the simple rest follow on.

simple past tense vs habitual past 'would'

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