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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Used to & would
Dear teachers,
According to grammar theories, "would" can be used to express a past routine or pattern which contrasts with the present, the same as "used to". However, "would" cannot be used to express a discontinued habit or past situation which contrast with the present, in this case we can only use "used to". Now, could you explain to me why it is not possible to replace "used to" with "would" here? Thanks in advance.
1. He used to play computer games before.
2. Did you use to study at the Anglo-American school?
According to grammar theories, "would" can be used to express a past routine or pattern which contrasts with the present, the same as "used to". However, "would" cannot be used to express a discontinued habit or past situation which contrast with the present, in this case we can only use "used to". Now, could you explain to me why it is not possible to replace "used to" with "would" here? Thanks in advance.
1. He used to play computer games before.
2. Did you use to study at the Anglo-American school?
Top answer
'Would' might sound a bit unusual in those isolated sentences. but in context I see no reason why it cannot replace 'used to'. Since 'would' is used for past routine, it must express something that is discontinued in any case, it seems to me.
- 'Would' might sound a bit unusual in those isolated sentences.
- but in context I see no reason why it cannot replace 'used to'.
- Since 'would' is used for past routine, it must express something that is discontinued in any case, it seems to me.
- In your first sentence, 'would' sounds fine.
- In your 2nd sentence, 'would' would be confused with a hypothetical question about the future, so it does not work there.
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1 Answers
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'Would' might sound a bit unusual in those isolated sentences. but in context I see no reason why it cannot replace 'used to'. Since 'would' is used for past routine, it must express something that is discontinued in any case, it seems to me.
In your first sentence, 'would' sounds fine. In your 2nd sentence, 'would' would be confused with a hypothetical question about the future, so it
In your first sentence, 'would' sounds fine. In your 2nd sentence, 'would' would be confused with a hypothetical question about the future, so it
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