Used to
Talk about past habits and situations that are no longer true.
10 minElementary
1The grammar
Use 'used to' + the base verb for things that were true or happened regularly in the past, but are not true now: I used to live in Madrid. (I don't live there now.) She used to smoke. (She doesn't smoke now.)
For negatives and questions, use did and 'use to', with no d: I didn't use to like coffee. Did you use to play football?
There is no present form. For present habits, use the Present Simple, often with 'usually': I usually walk to work. Do not say 'I use to walk to work'.
Do not use 'used to' for something that happened only once. Use the Past Simple: Last year I went to Japan. Also, do not use it to say how long something lasted: I lived there for five years.
2Structure and formation
Positive
Subject + used to + base verb
He used to work in a bank.
Negative
Subject + didn't use to + base verb
We didn't use to have a car.
Question
Did + subject + use to + base verb?
Did you use to live here?
Now it is different
used to ..., but now ...
I used to drive, but now I cycle.
3Examples
I used to play the piano.
A past habit. I don't play now.
This shop used to sell books.
A past situation. It sells something else now.
They didn't use to like each other.
Negative: didn't use to, with no d.
Did your parents use to live in Rome?
Question: did + subject + use to.
We used to go to the same school.
A past situation that has changed.
She used to be very shy, but now she loves talking to people.
'Used to' also works with 'be'.
4Common mistakes
I use to live in Paris.
I used to live in Paris.
The positive form has a d: used to.
He used to works here.
He used to work here.
After 'used to', use the base verb.
Did you used to swim?
Did you use to swim?
After 'did', use 'use to', with no d.
I used to go to London last week.
I went to London last week.
It happened once, so use the Past Simple.
5Practical usage
Talking about how life has changed
Compare your past and present: I used to take the bus, but now I work from home.
Talking about your childhood
Use it for memories of regular things: We used to visit my grandparents every summer.
Now practise it
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