Would / used to

[irmamar]

Please, help me with this exercise:

In which of these two sentences can used to NOT be replaced by would without changing the meaning? WHY?

She used to tell me stories.
She used to be happy at school.

Thanks a lot.

[Rusty]

'She would tell me stories' can replace 'She used to tell me stories.' A habitual, or repeated action is being referenced in each sentence, so 'would' and 'used to' can be interchanged.

The action in the second sentence is not habitual, or repeated, but is completed. The girl is no longer happy at school. Therefore, 'would' and 'used to' cannot be interchanged.

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by Rusty

'She would tell me stories' can replace 'She used to tell me stories.' A habitual, or repeated action is being referenced in each sentence, so 'would' and 'used to' can be interchanged.

The action in the second sentence is not habitual, or repeated, but is completed. The girl is no longer happy at school. Therefore, 'would' and 'used to' cannot be interchanged.

Thanks, Rusty. So, I must see if there is the possibility of a repeated action to know if would is able to be replaced by used to.

[Rusty]

Yes, I believe so. Where the imperfect tense can be used in Spanish, I believe 'would' and 'used to' can be interchanged in English:
My mom would read stories to me all the time/everyday.
She used to read stories to me all the time/everyday.
= Ella me leía cuentos todo el tiempo.

But they can't be switched when the preterite tense is used:
My mom used to like reading.
= A mi madre le gustó leer. (no puede leer ahora)
My mom would like reading.
= Le gustaría leer.

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Yes, I believe so. Where the imperfect tense can be used in Spanish, I believe 'would' and 'used to' can be interchanged in English:
My mom would read stories to me all the time/everyday.
She used to read stories to me all the time/everyday.
= Ella me leía cuentos todo el tiempo.

But they can't be switched when the preterite tense is used:
My mom used to like reading.
= A mi madre le gustó leer. (no puede leer ahora)
My mom would like reading.
= Le gustaría leer.

Thanks a lot, Rusty. Now I understand it

[Rusty]

Glad to help!

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Glad to help!

Sure! But I'm more glad because you helped me