Used to - Would

Was/Were going to
used
1. to
2. to
3. to

to + base form:
describe permanent past states
describe past habits
describe repeated actions in the past

would + base form

1. to describe past habits
2. to describe typical behavior in the past
was / were going to + base form
past intentions: to talk about actions somebody
intended to do in the past (but probably didnt)

Used to expresses past habitual actions

and permanent states.

She used to wake up at 6 am every day.
They used to live in a flat.
People used to come and visit him
everyday.
He used to be so handsome.

Affirmative
Form

Negative Form Interrogative

form

used to + bare
verb

didnt use to +
bare verb

Did + subject +
use to + bare
verb?

Would expresses past repeated actions and

routines - not states. (Note that stative verbs

are not used with would)
She would wake up at 6 am every day.
People would come and visit him everyday.
He would be so handsome. (to be is a state
verb)
When I was young, I would go for a walk
before breakfast. (also: I used to go ...)

Was/Were going to expresses actions someone

intended to do but didn't.

She was going to buy a new watch but unfortunately
she couldn't afford one.
We were going to move to Thailand next year, but we
were offered better jobs here. (So we didn't go)
I was going to visit my aunt when I went to England,
but she had gone to Spain for the summer. (So I
didn't visit her)

Practice!
Sorry, I __________ phone you, but

my mobile battery died.

When I was young I __________ play
with my dolls.
We __________ go out much in the
winter months.
He used to be one of the most famous
professors in his country.

Sorry, I was going to phone you, but my

mobile battery died.

When I was young I used to play with my
dolls. (also: would)
We didn't use to go out much in the
winter months. (also: would)
He used to be one of the most famous
professors in his country. (would)