Past habit: 'used to', 'would' and the simple past

We can refer to past habit in the following ways: When I worked on a farm I always used to get up at 5 a m When I worked on a farm, I would always get up at 5 a m When I worked on a farm, I always got up at 5 a m Would can be used in place of used to, but, like the simple past, it always requires a time reference. We often use it to talk about regular activities, particularly in narrative, or when we are reminiscing. Would is never used at the beginning of a story: the scene must first be set with the simple past or used to- In familiar narrative, would can be reduced to y: When I was a boy we always spent (or used to spend) our holidays on a farm We'd get up at 5 and we'd help milk the cows Then we'd return to the farm kitchen, where we would eat a huge breakfast

Used to' to describe past states, etc.

Used to (not would) combines with be, have (possession) and other

stative verbs [> 9 3] to describe past states: / used to be a waiter, but now I'm a taxi-driver (past state) / used to have a beard, but I've shaved it off (past possession)

If we use past tenses instead of used to, we need a time reference: / was a waiter years ago, but now I'm a taxi-driver

Will/would' to describe characteristic habit/behaviour

Will can sometimes be used in place of the simple present and would in place of the simple past to refer to a person's characteristic habits or behaviour. Will and would are unstressed when used in this way: In fine weather, he will often sit in the sun for hours As he grew older, he would often talk about his war experiences And note common fixed phrases with will-

Boys will be boys Accidents will happen

Will and would (usually with heavy stress) are often used accusingly

to criticize a person's characteristic behaviour:

Harriet will keep leaving her things all over the floor That's just typical of Harry He would say a thing like that¹

Sometimes will used in this way implies insistence, or wilful refusal to follow advice. Note that although will is not normally used after if [> 14.4-6, 14.24.2], it can be in this sense: If you 'will (stressed) go to bed so late no wonder you're tired

11 Modal auxiliaries and related verbs