Habits Expressed by Will and Would

Habits in the present are normally expressed by the Present Simple. But, among other uses of the Future Simple, will + infinitive can be used instead when we wish to emphasize the characteristics of the performer rather than the action performed. It is chiefly used in general statements:

• An Englishman will usually show you the way in the street. "(It is normal for an Englishman to act in this way.)
• She will always greet you.

1.Past routines

This is not a very important use of will, but the past form, would, has a much wider use and can replace used to when we are describing a past routine:

On Sundays he used to/would get up early and go fishing. He used to/would spend the whole day by the river and in the evening used to/would come home with marvellous stories of the fish he had nearly caught.

Note, however, that when used to expresses a discontinued habit, it cannot be replaced by would. Both will and would can be contracted when used as above.

2. Will can also express obstinate insistence, usually habitual:

Example: "If you will keep your watch half an hour slow it is hardly surprising that you are late for your appointments."

Would is used in the past:
Example: "We all tried to stop him smoking in bed but he would do it."

3. Would can express a characteristic action, usually one which annoys the speaker:

Bill objects/objected. ~ He would object! (He always objects.)