Used to talks about past habits and states which don’t exist anymore. It can talk about both action verbs and stative verbs.
- When he was a boy, my father used to work after school.
(used to – habit/action verb/work) - I didn’t use to like chicken.
(used to – habit/state verb/like)
Don’t confuse used to and get used to.
Would talks about repeated past actions but not states. It can only talk about with action verbs.
- We would always like the seaside for our holidays.
(would – stative verb/like) - We would always go to the seaside for our holidays.
(would – action verb/go) - My dad would read me amazing stories every night at bedtime.
(would – action verb/read)
In negative sentences about repeated past actions you cannot use would because it changes the meaning of the sentence. Use to is needed.
- I wouldn’t play with my dolls.
(change in meaning – I refused to play with my dolls.) - I didn’t use to play with my dolls.
(means – I didn’t play)
