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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Used to/would
As a child, he used to play a lot of football.
As a child, he would play a lot of football.
Would you accept both of them?
Thank you.
As a child, he would play a lot of football.
Would you accept both of them?
Thank you.
Top answer
They are both common among English speakers. I prefer to teach "used to" to express habitual or repeated action in the past, reserving "would" for the conditional. When the student has advanced enough not to be confused by the dual use of "would" I think it's ok to teach that as well.
- They are both common among English speakers.
- I prefer to teach "used to" to express habitual or repeated action in the past, reserving "would" for the conditional.
- When the student has advanced enough not to be confused by the dual use of "would" I think it's ok to teach that as well.
- I tend not to use "would" in this sense in my own writing and speaking.
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2 Answers
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They are both common among English speakers.
I prefer to teach "used to" to express habitual or repeated action in the past, reserving "would" for the conditional. When the student has advanced enough not to be confused by the dual use of "would" I think it's ok to teach that as well. I tend not to use "would" in this sense in my own writing and speaking.
I prefer to teach "used to" to express habitual or repeated action in the past, reserving "would" for the conditional. When the student has advanced enough not to be confused by the dual use of "would" I think it's ok to teach that as well. I tend not to use "would" in this sense in my own writing and speaking.
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I agree with Philip. Although there are websites which explained "would" as an alternative, and in non-crticial contexts it's acceptable. However, there are fine distinctions, and by no means, they are replacement of each other. "Used to" has a higher register in meaning and conviction as far as describing the intended action (play a lot of football) is concerned, in my opinion an
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