Would与used to都可用来表示过去经常性或习惯性的动作,常常可以换用。如:
(1)When we were boys we used to/would go swimming every summer.
小时候,每到夏天我们都要去游泳。
(2)He used to/would spend every penny he earned on books.
过去,他通常把挣来的钱全花在买书上。
Would与used to都不能用来表示动作发生的具体频度或具体的一段时间。例如,不能说:
(3) I would/used to go to France six times.
(4)He used to live in Africa for twenty years.
上两句应改成:
(5)I went to France six times. 我去过法国6次。
(6)He lived in Africa for twenty years. 他在非洲住过20年。
Would与used to的区别主要有以下几点:
a. Used to可指过去的状态或情况,would则不能。如: