Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[fw]

Which is appropriate for the blank below?

I ( ) go fishing quite often, but now I seldom do.
1. used to
2. would

The reason I ask you the question above is because a certain well-reputed dictionary published in Japan says that �would (often)� is not used for the past event when in contrast to the present event. I do not, however, find a comment of this sort anywhere else.

Give me your intuitive response to the question above, and any comment would be appreciated.

Best regards,
fw

[Lorikeet]

[aprileubanks]

Regarding general conversation, I would use "used to" in this statement.

although...
"would" - by definition appears to be correct...

according to m-w.com:
3 -- used in auxiliary function to express custom or habitual action
<we would meet often for lunch>

according to dictionary.com:
8 Used to express repeated or habitual action in the past: Every morning we would walk in the garden.

Not technically speaking "Used to" is somewhat colloquial, IMHO.

[kate123]

'Used to' is a marginal modal auxiliary, along with ought to, dare, and need.

Used to always takes the to-infinitive and occurs only in the past tense:
She used to attend regularly.

It is used as both an auxiliary and as a main verb:
He used not to smoke. (British English)
He didn't use to smoke. (British English and informal American English)

The normal interrogative construction is with DO support:
Did he use to drink?
He used to drink, didn't he?

[dabro]

"Would" is used more often in British English. "Used to" is the American English equivalent.
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Peace,

David