Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[tariq]

Hi Friends,

Which is correct?
A) I used to have candies in my childhood.
B) I would have candies in my childhood.

Could you please explain "WHY" ?
_________________
Miles to go before I Sleep !!

[TALA]

Hi,
I'm trying to give you an answer, but I'm not a native speaker of English.

Used to and Would + infinitive can be used to describe past habits. However, "would" is not used with "state" verbs like think, know, have, love, etc.

Therefore, the answer is 1.

For example, you can say, " I used to have long hair when I was young", but won't say, "I would have long ....was young."

[tariq]

For your Kind and Poor information,"HAVE" has been used as Dynamic Verb or Action Verb......in this sentence it means "to eat Something"
_________________
Miles to go before I Sleep !!

[sokanap]

Hello. I am an ESL teacher who just happened to teach this to my students today.

Here goes the explanation . . .

1. Both "would" and "used to" are used to describe actions in the past that were repeated on a regular basis. For situations in the past, however, only "used to" is possible; "would" cannot be used.

Examples:

I used to have/eat candies as a child. (correct)
I would have/eat candies as a child. (correct)

I used to get up at 5:00. (correct)
I would get up at 5:00. (correct)

I used to live in a house. (correct)
I would live in a house. (wrong - the verb "live" is describing a past situation, not an action)

I used to own a car. (correct)
I would own a car. (wrong - the verb "own" is describing a past situation, not an action)

I used to work as a teacher. (correct)
I used to be a teacher. (correct)
I would work as teacher. (wrong - past situation)
I would be a teacher. (wrong - past situation)

(Other common verbs that indicate situations are: be, have (when referring to ownership), like, love, and hate.)

(Also note that when using "would" in this sense, it is common to contract it: "I'd get up at 8:00, and then I'd go to school.")

2. When you are describing actions or situations in the past that no longer exist, only use "used to" not "would."

Examples:

I used to exercise a lot, but I don't anymore. (correct)
I would exercise a lot, but I don't anymore. (wrong)

I used to go out a lot on the weekend, but now I stay home. (correct)
I would go out a lot on the weekend, but now I stay home. (wrong - but many native speakers--including my husband--use "would" in this sense as well.

Hope this helps. Let me know.