Understanding how to use “used to” is a crucial step in mastering English grammar. This grammatical structure allows us to talk about past habits, states, or situations that are no longer true.
Whether you’re an English language learner or just looking to brush up on your grammar skills, this article will provide a comprehensive guide to using “used to” correctly. From basic definitions and structures to advanced nuances and common mistakes, we’ll cover everything you need to know.
This guide will particularly benefit students preparing for English exams, writers aiming for clarity and precision, and anyone who wants to express past habitual actions with confidence.
Table of Contents
- Definition of “Used To”
- Structural Breakdown
- Types of Sentences with “Used To”
- Examples of Sentences with “Used To”
- Usage Rules for “Used To”
- Common Mistakes with “Used To”
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition of “Used To”
The phrase “used to” is a semi-modal verb in English used to describe past habits, states, or actions that are no longer true in the present. It indicates something that was done repeatedly or existed for a period of time in the past but has since stopped.
It’s important to distinguish “used to” from “to be used to” and “to get used to,” which have different meanings related to being accustomed to something.
Function and Context
“Used to” serves primarily to express a contrast between past and present situations. The actions or states described by “used to” are discontinued.
This makes it useful for narrating personal histories, describing changes over time, or highlighting differences between past and present conditions. It’s commonly used in storytelling, autobiographical writing, and discussions about personal experiences.
For example, saying “I used to play football every day” implies that you no longer play football every day. Similarly, “She used to live in France” suggests that she no longer resides in France.
The context is always past and discontinued.
Structural Breakdown
The structure of sentences with “used to” is relatively straightforward, but variations exist depending on whether you are forming affirmative, negative, or interrogative (question) sentences. Understanding these structures is key to using “used to” correctly.
Affirmative Sentences
The basic structure for affirmative sentences is: Subject + used to + base form of the verb. The subject is the person or thing performing the action. “Used to” remains constant regardless of the subject (I, you, he, she, it, we, they). The base form of the verb is the infinitive form without “to” (e.g., play, eat, live).
Example: He used to smoke cigarettes.
Negative Sentences
To form negative sentences, you typically use “did not use to” or “never used to.” The structure is: Subject + did not use to / never used to + base form of the verb. Note that “did” is used in the past tense, so “use” reverts to its base form without the “d.”
Example: They did not use to travel much.
Using “never used to” provides a stronger sense of negation, indicating that the action never occurred in the past.
Example: She never used to like coffee.
Interrogative Sentences (Questions)
To form questions, you typically use “Did + subject + use to + base form of the verb?” Again, because “did” indicates the past tense, “use” reverts to its base form. The structure is: Did + Subject + use to + base form of the verb?
Example: Did you use to play the piano?
You can also use question words (who, what, where, when, why, how) before “did” to ask more specific questions.
Example: Where did you use to live?
Types of Sentences with “Used To”
While the basic function of “used to” remains the same, the types of sentences in which it appears can vary. These variations often depend on the context and the specific information being conveyed.
Simple Past Habits
These sentences describe actions that were habitual or repeated in the past. They are perhaps the most common type of “used to” sentences.
Example: I used to walk to school every day.
Past States or Conditions
These sentences describe conditions or states that existed in the past but are no longer true. This could include feelings, beliefs, or physical states.
Example: She used to be afraid of heights.
Contrasting Past and Present
These sentences explicitly contrast a past situation with the current situation, often using words like “but” or “now.”
Example: He used to be shy, but now he’s very outgoing.
Sentences with Adverbs of Frequency
These sentences include adverbs of frequency (e.g., always, often, sometimes, rarely, never) to provide more detail about how often the action occurred in the past.
Example: We used to always go to the beach in the summer.
Examples of Sentences with “Used To”
To solidify your understanding, let’s look at several examples of sentences using “used to” in different contexts. These examples are categorized to illustrate the various ways “used to” can be employed.
Table 1: Affirmative Sentences with “Used To”
This table provides examples of affirmative sentences, showcasing how “used to” is used to describe past habits and states.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| I used to collect stamps when I was a child. | Describes a past hobby that is no longer practiced. |
| She used to work at a bank. | Indicates a past job that she no longer holds. |
| They used to live in a small village. | States that they no longer live in the village. |
| He used to play the guitar in a band. | Describes a past activity of playing the guitar in a band. |
| We used to go camping every summer. | Implies that the family no longer goes camping every summer. |
| The building used to be a library. | The building now serves a different purpose. |
| My grandfather used to tell us stories about his childhood. | Describes a past habit of storytelling. |
| She used to believe in Santa Claus. | Indicates a past belief that is no longer held. |
| He used to be a very good swimmer. | States a past ability. |
| We used to have a dog named Sparky. | Indicates that they no longer have that dog. |
| I used to hate vegetables. | Expresses a past dislike. |
| She used to wear glasses. | Indicates that she no longer wears glasses. |
| They used to own a restaurant. | States that they no longer own the restaurant. |
| He used to be very shy. | Describes a past personality trait. |
| We used to visit our grandparents every weekend. | Implies that they no longer visit every weekend. |
| The river used to be much cleaner. | Indicates a past state of the river. |
| My sister used to play with dolls. | Describes a past activity of playing with dolls. |
| She used to like romantic movies. | Indicates a past preference. |
| He used to work late every night. | States a past work habit. |
| We used to live near the beach. | Indicates they no longer live near the beach. |
| I used to drink coffee every morning. | Describes a past habit of drinking coffee. |
| She used to study French. | Indicates she no longer studies French. |
| They used to go skiing in the winter. | States they no longer go skiing. |
| He used to have long hair. | Describes a past physical appearance. |
| We used to eat ice cream every Sunday. | Implies they no longer eat ice cream every Sunday. |
Table 2: Negative Sentences with “Used To”
This table provides examples of negative sentences, showcasing how “did not use to” and “never used to” are used to describe past habits and states that did not occur.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| I didn’t use to like spicy food. | Indicates a past dislike that has changed. |
| She never used to travel abroad. | States that she did not travel abroad in the past. |
| They didn’t use to own a car. | Indicates they did not own a car in the past. |
| He didn’t use to be so serious. | Describes a past personality trait that has changed. |
| We didn’t use to watch much TV. | Implies that they watch more TV now. |
| The city didn’t use to be so crowded. | Indicates a past state of the city. |
| My brother didn’t use to study hard. | Describes a past study habit that has changed. |
| She never used to be late for appointments. | States that she was always punctual in the past. |
| He didn’t use to play video games. | Indicates a past lack of interest in video games. |
| We didn’t use to eat out very often. | Implies they now eat out more frequently. |
| I didn’t use to exercise regularly. | Expresses a past lack of exercise. |
| She never used to complain about anything. | Indicates she was very agreeable in the past. |
| They didn’t use to have internet access. | States they did not have internet access in the past. |
| He didn’t use to drink coffee. | Describes a past lack of coffee consumption. |
| We didn’t use to live in this neighborhood. | Implies they have moved to this neighborhood recently. |
| The house didn’t use to have a garden. | Indicates a past state of the house. |
| My parents didn’t use to argue. | Describes a past lack of disagreements. |
| She never used to be interested in politics. | Indicates a past lack of interest in politics. |
| He didn’t use to be so tall. | States a past physical attribute. |
| We didn’t use to have a lot of money. | Implies they are now more financially stable. |
| I didn’t use to enjoy reading. | Expresses a past dislike of reading. |
| She never used to wear makeup. | Indicates she did not wear makeup in the past. |
| They didn’t use to travel by plane. | States they did not travel by plane in the past. |
| He didn’t use to like cats. | Describes a past dislike of cats. |
| We didn’t use to stay up late. | Implies they now stay up later. |
Table 3: Interrogative Sentences with “Used To”
This table provides examples of interrogative sentences, showcasing how questions are formed using “did + subject + use to.”
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Did you use to play any sports in high school? | Asks about past sports activities. |
| Did she use to live in New York? | Inquires about a past residence. |
| Did they use to have a pet? | Asks about past pet ownership. |
| Did he use to be a teacher? | Inquires about a past profession. |
| Did we use to go to that restaurant? | Asks about past dining habits. |
| Did the building use to be a hotel? | Inquires about the building’s past purpose. |
| Did your parents use to travel a lot? | Asks about past travel habits of parents. |
| Did she use to study abroad? | Inquires about a past educational experience. |
| Did he use to work here? | Asks about past employment at a specific location. |
| Did we use to be friends? | Inquires about a past relationship. |
| Did you use to enjoy classical music? | Asks about past musical preferences. |
| Did she use to wear contact lenses? | Inquires about a past vision correction method. |
| Did they use to own a boat? | Asks about past boat ownership. |
| Did he use to be a vegetarian? | Inquires about a past dietary choice. |
| Did we use to visit this museum? | Asks about past museum visits. |
| Did the park use to be bigger? | Inquires about a past state of the park. |
| Did your sister use to play the violin? | Asks about past musical activities of a sister. |
| Did she use to like horror movies? | Inquires about a past preference for horror movies. |
| Did he use to drive a motorcycle? | Asks about past motorcycle driving habits. |
| Did we use to live in this city? | Inquires about a past residence in a specific city. |
| Did you use to drink tea with sugar? | Asks about past tea-drinking habits. |
| Did she use to speak Spanish fluently? | Inquires about past language proficiency. |
| Did they use to go hiking on weekends? | Asks about past weekend hiking habits. |
| Did he use to have a beard? | Inquires about a past facial hair style. |
| Did we use to celebrate this holiday? | Asks about past holiday celebration habits. |
Table 4: Sentences with Adverbs of Frequency
This table provides examples of sentences using “used to” with adverbs of frequency, providing more detail about past habits.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| I used to always arrive early for meetings. | Indicates a consistent past habit of punctuality. |
| She used to often go for walks in the park. | Describes a frequent past activity. |
| They used to sometimes eat at that restaurant. | Indicates occasional past dining experiences. |
| He used to rarely visit his relatives. | Describes infrequent past visits. |
| We used to never miss an episode of that show. | Indicates a consistent past viewing habit. |
| I used to frequently travel for work. | Describes a past habit of frequent work-related travel. |
| She used to regularly attend yoga classes. | Indicates a consistent past practice of attending yoga. |
| They used to occasionally volunteer at the shelter. | Describes infrequent past volunteer work. |
| He used to seldom speak in public. | Indicates rare past public speaking engagements. |
| We used to annually celebrate our anniversary in Paris. | Describes a yearly past tradition. |
| I used to constantly check my email. | Expresses a past habit of frequent email checking. |
| She used to periodically update her blog. | Indicates irregular past blog updates. |
| They used to hardly ever go to the cinema. | States rare past cinema visits. |
| He used to invariably forget his keys. | Describes a consistent past habit of forgetting keys. |
| We used to habitually drink tea after dinner. | Implies a regular past habit of drinking tea. |
| I used to commonly see him at the library. | Indicates frequent past encounters at the library. |
| She used to sporadically call her friends. | Describes irregular past phone calls. |
| They used to repeatedly watch that movie. | States frequent past viewings of a specific movie. |
| He used to steadily improve his skills. | Describes consistent past skill improvement. |
| We used to faithfully watch the news every night. | Implies a regular past habit of watching the news. |
Usage Rules for “Used To”
The correct usage of “used to” involves several rules and considerations. Paying attention to these rules will help you avoid common errors and use the structure effectively.
Rule 1: Only for Past Habits or States
“Used to” can only be used to describe past habits, states, or situations that are no longer true in the present. It cannot be used to describe present habits or states.
For present habits, use the simple present tense with adverbs of frequency (e.g., “I usually go to the gym”).
Rule 2: Correct Form in Negative and Interrogative Sentences
In negative and interrogative sentences, remember to use “did not use to” and “Did + subject + use to?” respectively. The “d” from “used” is dropped because “did” already indicates the past tense.
Rule 3: Distinguishing from “Be Used To” and “Get Used To”
It’s crucial to distinguish “used to” from “be used to” and “get used to.” “Be used to” means to be accustomed to something, while “get used to” means to become accustomed to something. These forms are followed by a noun or a gerund (verb + -ing).
Example: I am used to waking up early. (I am accustomed to it.)
Example: I am getting used to the new software. (I am becoming accustomed to it.)
Rule 4: Avoiding Redundancy
Avoid using “used to” with other past tense markers in the same phrase. For example, avoid saying “I used to lived” because “used to” already indicates the past tense.
Rule 5: Proper Context
Ensure the context clearly implies a contrast between the past and the present. If there’s no such contrast, “used to” may not be the appropriate structure to use.
Common Mistakes with “Used To”
Several common mistakes can occur when using “used to.” Being aware of these mistakes can help you avoid them and improve your accuracy.
Mistake 1: Using “Used To” for Present Habits
Incorrect: I used to go to the gym every day. (when you still go every day)
Correct: I go to the gym every day.
Mistake 2: Forgetting “Did” in Negative and Interrogative Sentences
Incorrect: I not use to like coffee.
Correct: I did not use to like coffee.
Incorrect: Use you to live here?
Correct: Did you use to live here?
Mistake 3: Confusing with “Be Used To” and “Get Used To”
Incorrect: I am use to waking up early.
Correct: I am used to waking up early.
Mistake 4: Redundancy with Past Tense Markers
Incorrect: I used to lived in France.
Correct: I used to live in France.
Mistake 5: Misspelling “Used To”
Incorrect: I use to play football.
Correct: I used to play football.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of “used to” with these practice exercises. Complete the sentences with the correct form of “used to” or the appropriate alternative.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following sentences using the correct form of “used to.”
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. I _______ (play) the piano, but I stopped a few years ago. | used to play |
| 2. She _______ (live) in Italy when she was a child. | used to live |
| 3. They _______ (not/have) a car, so they walked everywhere. | did not use to have |
| 4. _______ you _______ (go) to that school? | Did you use to go |
| 5. He _______ (be) very shy, but now he’s more outgoing. | used to be |
| 6. We _______ (visit) our grandparents every summer. | used to visit |
| 7. The building _______ (be) a post office. | used to be |
| 8. I _______ (not/like) coffee, but now I love it. | did not use to like |
| 9. _______ she _______ (work) here? | Did she use to work |
| 10. They _______ (live) in a small apartment. | used to live |
Exercise 2: Correct the Mistakes
Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.
| Incorrect Sentence | Correct Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1. I use to going to the beach every summer. | I used to go to the beach every summer. |
| 2. She didn’t used to liked spicy food. | She didn’t use to like spicy food. |
| 3. Did you used live in London? | Did you use to live in London? |
| 4. They used to had a dog. | They used to have a dog. |
| 5. I am use to waking up early. | I am used to waking up early. |
| 6. She use to be a teacher. | She used to be a teacher. |
| 7. He didn’t used be so tall. | He didn’t use to be so tall. |
| 8. We used to went to that restaurant. | We used to go to that restaurant. |
| 9. I use to drink coffee every morning, and I still do. | I drink coffee every morning. |
| 10. Did she used to studied French? | Did she use to study French? |
Exercise 3: Rewrite the Sentences
Rewrite the following sentences using “used to.”
| Original Sentence | Rewritten Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1. I played football every day when I was younger. | I used to play football every day when I was younger. |
| 2. She lived in Paris for five years. | She used to live in Paris. |
| 3. They didn’t have a TV. | They didn’t use to have a TV. |
| 4. Did you go to that school? | Did you use to go to that school? |
| 5. He was very shy. | He used to be very shy. |
| 6. We visited our grandparents every weekend. | We used to visit our grandparents every weekend. |
| 7. The building was a library. | The building used to be a library. |
| 8. I didn’t like vegetables. | I didn’t use to like vegetables. |
| 9. Did she work here? | Did she use to work here? |
| 10. They lived in a small village. | They used to live in a small village. |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, there are more nuanced aspects of “used to” that can be explored.
Emphasis with “Really Used To”
You can add emphasis by using “really used to.” This emphasizes the habit or state more strongly.
Example: I really used to enjoy playing the piano.
Using “Used To” in Complex Sentences
“Used to” can be incorporated into more complex sentences, often with clauses that provide additional information or context.
Example: Although I used to hate vegetables, I now eat them every day.
“Used To” in Formal Writing
While “used to” is common in spoken English, it can also be used in formal writing to describe past situations or habits, particularly when contrasting them with the present.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about using “used to.”
- What is the difference between “used to” and “would”?
“Used to” describes past habits or states that are no longer true, while “would” describes past habitual actions, often in narratives or stories. “Would” is typically used for actions, not states. For example, “I used to live in France” (state) vs. “When I was a child, I would visit my grandparents every summer” (action). “Used to” can describe both actions and states.
- Can I use “used to” to describe a single past event?
No, “used to” is used to describe repeated actions or states that occurred over a period of time in the past. For a single past event, use the simple past tense.
- How do I emphasize that something never happened in the past?
Use “never used to.” For example, “I never used to like coffee” emphasizes that you disliked coffee in the past.
- Is it correct to say “I didn’t used to”?
Yes, “I didn’t use to” is the correct negative form. Note that “use” is in its base form because “did” already indicates the past tense.
- Can “used to” be used in the present tense?
No, “used to” is exclusively for describing past habits or states. For present habits, use the simple present tense with adverbs of frequency.
- What’s the difference between “I am used to” and “I used to”?
“I am used to” means that you are accustomed to something. “I used to” means that you did something regularly in the past, but no longer do it.
- Can I use “used to” with the present perfect tense?
No, “used to” is used to describe past habits or states that are no longer true, while the present perfect tense connects the past to the present. They serve different functions and cannot be used together.
- How can I make questions with “used to” more specific?
Use question words (who, what, where, when, why, how) before “did” to ask more specific questions. For example, “Where did you use to live?”
Conclusion
Mastering the use of “used to” is essential for expressing past habits, states, and situations that no longer exist in the present. By understanding its structure, usage rules, and common mistakes, you can significantly improve the clarity and accuracy of your English.
Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to the context in which you use “used to.” With consistent effort, you’ll be able to confidently and correctly use “used to” in both spoken and written English. Always double-check your sentences for correct tense and avoid common pitfalls like confusing “used to” with “be used to” or “get used to.” Happy learning!