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used to play vs would play

Both "used to play" and "would play" are correct constructions, but they are used in different contexts. "Used to play" is used to talk about past habits or actions that were regular or habitual in the past but no longer occur. On the other hand, "would play" is used to describe past repeated actions or habits, often with a specific time frame or condition. Therefore, the choice between the two depends on the specific context of the sentence.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 1035 views

used to play

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to talk about past habits or actions that were regular or habitual in the past but no longer occur.

This phrase is used to describe actions that were repeated or habitual in the past but have stopped. It indicates that the action was a regular occurrence in the past.

Examples:

  • I used to play soccer when I was younger.
  • She used to play the piano every evening.
  • They used to play together as children.
  • He used to play video games all day long.
  • We used to play hide and seek in the park.
  • I used to play by this hearth as a child.
  • I used to play all the time with Bella Cruise.
  • We used to play during his lunch break.
  • When Luke and I were kids, we used to play hide-and-seek.
  • He used to play this one, actually.
  • The girl who used to play the cello.
  • Sam and I used to play in these woods.
  • We used to play in junior leagues together - me and Nathan.
  • Nusrat used to play in a Sheraton business center.
  • It had a fountain where we used to play.
  • Jeannie Fritzen and I used to play in here after school.
  • We used to play softball together when he was in the Senate.
  • Jeff used to play the trombone in high school.
  • I used to play ball over in Ditmuss Park.
  • My husband and I used to play it.
  • My mom used to play this song all the time.
  • You know we used to play doubles together.
  • Just something my father used to play.
  • My dad used to play in a military band.
  • I used to play basketball in school.

Alternatives:

  • I would play soccer when I was younger.
  • She would play the piano every evening.
  • They would play together as children.
  • He would play video games all day long.
  • We would play hide and seek in the park.

would play

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe past repeated actions or habits, often with a specific time frame or condition.

This phrase is used to talk about past actions that were repeated or habitual, especially in specific situations or conditions. It often implies a conditional aspect or a specific time frame in the past.

Examples:

  • Every summer, we would play in the park.
  • When it rained, we would play board games indoors.
  • He would play the guitar at family gatherings.
  • She would play with her dolls for hours.
  • They would play basketball after school.
  • Sometimes Jean would play the piano.
  • And every night Elisabeth would play for me.
  • We would play with this stuff like it was treasure.
  • We would play mini golf, have crazy dance competitions, go through a drive-through and order with British accents.
  • I used to think one day our kids would play on that playground.
  • When we were kids, we would play cowboys and Indians like the kids do.
  • Every 4th of July, He would play the trumpet
  • My friends and I would play king of the mountain there.
  • Jackson would play the same phrase, "Doctor, My Eyes" for six weeks.
  • These Signatures' would play a crucial role later.
  • She would play in the garden for hours.
  • Sheldon, we said that we would play games with you tonight.
  • You and Joanna would play with dolls.
  • Think how that would play out.
  • Imagine all the... games that they would play together.
  • I wanted to see if you would play my boyfriend.
  • But let's talk about the actor who would play the burglar.
  • Krupski would play Marco's team in the next round.
  • Lady Margaret fears the King would play you false.
  • No child in the world would play like that.

Alternatives:

  • Every summer, we used to play in the park.
  • When it rained, we used to play board games indoors.
  • He used to play the guitar at family gatherings.
  • She used to play with her dolls for hours.
  • They used to play basketball after school.

Related Comparisons

like to play vs like playing I use to play vs I used to play used to speaking vs used to speak used to polite. vs used to be polite. is used to play vs is used to playing recommend me to play vs recommend to play

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