Past Habits
This guide explores the various structures used to express habitual actions and states in the past. It’s important to understand the subtle differences between these forms and when to use each one appropriately.
Simple Past
The simple past can express past habits, repeated actions, and states.
Form:
Subject + verb in past tense
Examples:
- “I went to bed at 6:00 every night.”
- “She walked to school each morning.”
- “We had a small apartment in the city center.”
When to use it:
For single completed actions in the past (unlike “would” or “used to”)
For both actions and states in the past
Often used with time expressions (every day, each week, on Sundays)
Can be used for habits that may or may not continue in the present
Past Continuous
The past continuous can be used for repeated actions in the past, especially when emphasizing their duration or frequency.
Form:
- Subject + was/were + verb-ing
Examples:
- “When I was a teenager, I was always arguing with my parents.”
- “Back then, they were constantly moving from one place to another.”
When to use it:
To emphasize the repetitive or annoying nature of a past habit
Often used with adverbs like “always,” “constantly,” or “forever”
Used to
“Used to” expresses past habits, repeated actions, and states that are no longer true in the present.
Form:
- Affirmative:
Subject + used to + base form - Negative:
Subject + didn't use to + base form - Question:
Did + subject + use to + base form?
Examples:
- We used to make phone calls, but now we just text.
- They didn’t use to have internet at home.
- Did you use to take piano lessons?
- She never used to eat breakfast.
When to use it:
- For habits that no longer happen
- For past states that are no longer true
- When the time reference is (not) clearly established
- Works with both action verbs and stative verbs
Would
“Would” expresses past habits and repeated actions, but not states.
Form:
- Affirmative:
Subject + would ('d) + base form - Negative:
Subject + would not (wouldn't) + base form - Question:
Would + subject + base form?
Examples:
- “We would text each other every night.”
- “She would always laugh at his jokes.”
- “Would you often visit your grandparents on Sundays?”
When to use it:
- Only for habitual actions or behaviors, not states
- Only when the time frame is clear from context
- For actions with a sense of typicality or predictability
Important limitation: “Would” cannot be used with stative verbs to describe past states.
Incorrect: I would have a big cell phone.
Correct: I used to have a big cell phone.
Stative Verbs
Stative verbs describe states rather than actions. With past habits, these verbs can be used with “used to” but not with “would.”
Common stative verbs:
- Mental states: believe, know, think, understand, remember, forget, prefer, want, need
- Emotions: love, hate, like, dislike, fear, envy
- Possession: have, own, possess, belong
- Senses: see, hear, smell, taste, feel
- Being and appearing: be, exist, seem, appear, look
- Others: cost, weigh, contain, consist, depend, involve
Examples:
They would have a large house.
I used to like classical music. ✓
I would like classical music.
She used to be very shy. ✓
She would be very shy.
They used to have a large house. ✓
| Feature | “Used to” | “Would” |
|---|---|---|
| States | Can express past states | Cannot express past states |
| Time reference | Can be used when time reference is unclear | Requires a clear time reference |
| Emphasis | Emphasizes the contrast with the present | Emphasizes the habitual nature |
| Verb types | Works with all verb types | Only works with action verbs |
Comparison
| Structure | Usage | Works with Stative Verbs? | Time Reference Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Used to | Past habits, repeated actions, and states that no longer exist | Yes | No |
| Would | Past habits and repeated actions only (not states) | No | Yes |
| Simple Past | Past habits, repeated actions, states, and single completed actions | Yes | Often used with time expressions |
| Past Continuous | Repeated actions with emphasis on duration or frequency | Rarely (only with temporary states) | Usually with adverbs like “always,” “constantly” |
Ready to Talk About Your Past Routines in English?
Learning to express past habits (using “used to,” “would,” and Past Simple) is a fantastic step to describing your former routines and recurring actions clearly in English. It’s how you share how things used to be!
Do you want to practice these useful structures and apply them naturally when talking about your past? My online English classes offer fun, interactive ways to master past habits and all other essential grammar points. You’ll get plenty of chances to speak and build your confidence.
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