Lesson

Will, would and used to

Habits and willingness

≈ 15 min 8 block(s)

Text

Will, would and used to — Introduction

This lesson explains how to use will, would and used to. These three forms help you talk about habits, repeated actions, and the future. Knowing the differences improves clarity when you describe past routines, make predictions, or form polite requests.

  • Will: future actions, spontaneous decisions, promises, predictions.
  • Would: past habit (especially in storytelling), polite requests or conditional mood.
  • Used to: past habits or states that no longer happen.

Table

Summary: will / would / used to

Form Typical Use Example
will + base verb Future actions, promises, quick decisions, predictions I will send the report this afternoon.
would + base verb Past habitual actions (narrative), polite requests, conditional When we worked together, he would arrive early every day.
used to + base verb Past habits or states that no longer happen I used to travel to clients weekly, but now I work remotely.

Tip

Key rule: Distinguish time and meaning

Remember the main time-frame and function for each form:

  • Use will for future actions and predictions: actions not yet happened.
  • Use used to for past states/habits that are finished: no longer true now.
  • Use would for repeated past actions in stories or for polite requests/conditionals.

If you're talking about a past routine that still happens now, use present simple instead.

Example

Examples in context

I will prepare the presentation by Tuesday.

When I managed the team, I would hold weekly one-on-ones with each member.

She used to work in London before moving back home.

Would you mind reviewing the draft before I send it?

Tip

Common mistakes to avoid

Watch for these universal errors when using will, would and used to:

  • Mixing 'used to' and 'use to' — the correct form for past habits is 'used to' (pronunciation differs).
  • Using 'would' for past states: 'would' usually describes repeated past actions, not continuous past states (use 'used to' or 'was/were + -ing').
  • Using 'will' for regular past habits — 'will' is future; use 'used to' or 'would' for past routines.
  • Confusing polite requests and conditionals — 'would' often softens requests; don't replace it with 'will' in formal requests.

Check the time reference (past vs future) before choosing the form.

Quiz

Choose the sentence that correctly shows a past habit that no longer happens:

Hint: Think about describing past routines that stopped.

Quiz

Complete: When I worked at the firm, I _____ commute by train every day.

Hint: Think about a habitual action in the past that is no longer true.

Quiz

Choose the most appropriate sentence to make a polite request to a colleague:

Hint: Consider which form is more polite and formal for requests.

Key Points

GrammarPoint

will

modal verb CEFR B1 //wɪl//

Used to form the future tense, make promises, predictions or spontaneous decisions.

I will finish the summary by Friday.

GrammarPoint

would

modal verb CEFR B2 //wʊd//

Used to describe past repeated actions (in narratives), polite requests, or conditional situations.

When she led the project, she would call the team every Monday.

GrammarPoint

used to

modal expression CEFR B1 //ˈjuːst tuː//

Describes past habits or states that no longer occur in the present.

He used to commute by bus before the company offered remote work.

Expression

polite request

expression CEFR B2 //pəˈlaɪt rɪˈkwɛst//

A way of asking someone for something using softer language (often would).

Would you send the contract by Friday?

Vocabulary

past habit

noun phrase CEFR B1 //pɑːst hæbɪt//

An action regularly done in the past but no longer done now.

A past habit: I used to eat lunch at my desk every day.

Vocabulary

prediction

noun CEFR B2 //prɪˈdɪkʃən//

A statement about what you think will happen in the future.

My prediction: Sales will increase next quarter.