Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[relaxation07]

Dear all,

I'd like to know if there is any differece between 'used to' and 'would' meaning-wise. As far as I know, there is no difference in them except that they differ in that 'would' doesn't take stative verbs. So I thought 'I used to go hiking on Sundays' and 'I would go hiking on Sundays' mean the same in meaning.

Much appreciated.

[2006]

They have the same meaning if you are talking about the past, but "would" can also refer to the future.

You cannot say "mean the same in meaning". You can say "have the same meaning' or 'mean the same thing'.

[myprofe]

The only difference I would point out is that although both forms refer to what normally happened at some time in the past expressing it with the form "used to" means that it doesn't happen now.
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[relaxation07]

Dear myprofe

So, expressing it with 'would' doesn't necessary mean that 'it doesn't happen now.' Then if somebody says 'I would go hiking on Sundays when I was little,' is it likely that he or she still goes hiking on Sundays?

Thank you so much.