Hi, I'm Melissa and I come from Milan.

I love 'used to' in English. It's so useful for talking about things I did but don't do anymore.

Like, I used to play tennis.

But are there other ways of saying 'used to'?

I want to stop saying 'used to' so much .

'Used to'. Now that is a really good question.

Would you like me to give you an alternative to 'use to'? Would you? 'Would you'? Get it?

Would you?

Right. Well, perhaps I'll just explain then. Come on, follow me.

But first I'd like you to meet younger Tim.

I play football every day.

I get up at 7 am. I run to the park with my ball and I practice free kicks until nighttime.

That was me about ten years ago ish.

I would play football every day.

I'd get up at 7 am. I'd run to the park with my ball and I'd practice free kicks until nighttime.

Not anymore.

Ah. But did you notice what I did there?

I 'would' play football every day.

'I'd' get up at 7 am. 'I'd' run to the park with my ball and 'I'd' practice free kicks until nighttime.

We can use 'would' to talk about past actions that we did on a number of occasions.

Alright, now, is it time for my cigarette break now?

I don't think that's a good idea, do you, Tim?

I love football and sport and being fit and healthy.

I hate smoking and I hate drinking alcohol.

Mm... that's true. I used to be very fit and healthy.

What went wrong?

Ah, yes.

Now we need to be careful here.

Although we can use 'would' instead of 'used to' to talk about past repeated actions, we can't use it to talk about past states.

We can't say I would be very fit and healthy.

We need 'used to'. I used to be very fit and healthy.

Now what's got two thumbs and is about to drink a beer.

This bad boy.

Woof.

Sorry, Tim. I don't think that's gonna happen.

We've talked about this, haven't we?

Thought I was going to drink that.

Thank you.

Yes, I hate smoking and I hate drinking alcohol and I hate junk food.

Wow, I really was a health fanatic.

I ate fruit and I never had junk food.

Now you'll notice that I used past simple there.

I really 'was' a health fanatic.

I 'ate' fruit.

Don't forget you can use past simple to talk about past repeated actions.

You don't have to use 'used to' or 'would' every time.

So there we go.

I hope that's answered your question.

If you don't want to use 'used to' so much, you can use 'would' to talk about past repeated actions but not states.

And you can always use past simple to add a bit of variety.

Now I've been looking forward to this chips.

Sorry, Tim. (I) can't let you have those.

Thanks, Tim. That's very clear.

And I think you used to be much healthier.

Give up the cigarettes, beer and chips.