Used to (for past habits)
A2 ElementaryUsed to describes past habits, routines, or states that are no longer true in the present. It emphasizes the contrast between how things were before and how they are now.
Overview
This structure refers to repeated actions or permanent states in the past that have since stopped. It is not used for single events that happened only once.
- It describes habits: I used to smoke. (I don't anymore)
- It describes states: They used to live in London. (They moved)
Form
used to / did not use to + infinitive
In the affirmative, use used to + the base form of the verb. In negatives and questions, the 'd' is dropped because of the auxiliary verb did.
Examples
Common mistakes
I am used to live in Paris.
I used to live in Paris.
Do not use the verb 'to be' before 'used to' when talking about past habits. 'Be used to' means to be accustomed to something.
Did you used to play football?
Did you use to play football?
In questions and negatives, the auxiliary 'did' carries the past tense, so 'use' remains in its base form.
I use to go there every day now.
I go there every day now.
'Used to' only refers to the past. For present habits, use the present simple.
Practice
Complete the sentence: We _______ (have) a cat, but it died last year.
Show answer
used to have
Answer:used to have
Why:The sentence describes a past state that is no longer true, requiring the affirmative form 'used to' followed by the base verb.
Correct the error: I didn't used to like coffee.
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I didn't use to like coffee.
Answer:I didn't use to like coffee.
Why:When using the negative auxiliary 'didn't', the 'd' must be removed from 'used to'.
Change to a question: He used to work in a bank.
Show answer
Did he use to work in a bank?
Answer:Did he use to work in a bank?
Why:Questions are formed with 'Did' + subject + 'use to' + base verb.