Mastering ‘Used To’: Comprehensive Examples and Usage Guide

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Understanding how to use “used to” is crucial for expressing past habits, states, and situations that are no longer true. This grammar point is essential for describing changes over time and reminiscing about the past.

Mastering “used to” will significantly improve your ability to narrate stories, discuss personal history, and understand nuanced English conversations. This article is designed for English learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced students, who want to solidify their understanding of “used to” and use it accurately and confidently.

Table of Contents

Definition of ‘Used To’

The phrase “used to” is a semi-modal verb in English that expresses past habits, states, or situations that are no longer true in the present. It indicates something that was done or existed regularly or continuously in the past but has since stopped.

“Used to” always refers to the past; there is no present or future form.

Specifically, “used to” can describe:

  • Past Habits: Actions that were repeated regularly in the past.
  • Past States: Conditions or situations that existed in the past but do not exist now.

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.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of “used to” varies depending on whether you are forming an affirmative, negative, or interrogative sentence. Here’s a breakdown of each:

Affirmative Form

The affirmative form is the most straightforward. The structure is:

Subject + used to + base form of the verb

Example: I used to play the piano. (This means I played the piano regularly in the past, but I don’t anymore.)

Negative Form

There are two ways to form the negative:

  1. Using ‘did not use to’: Subject + did not use to + base form of the verb
  2. Using ‘never used to’: Subject + never used to + base form of the verb

Example using ‘did not use to’: I did not use to like coffee. (This means I didn’t like coffee in the past, but now I might.)

Example using ‘never used to’: I never used to travel. (This means I didn’t travel in the past, maybe because I didn’t have the money or time.)

Note that “did not use to” is more common in formal contexts, while “never used to” can add emphasis.

Interrogative Form

To form a question, use the following structure:

Did + subject + use to + base form of the verb?

Example: Did you use to live here? (This asks if you lived here regularly in the past.)

Forms of ‘Used To’

Understanding the different forms of “used to” is essential for constructing grammatically correct sentences. Each form—affirmative, negative, and interrogative—serves a distinct purpose in expressing past habits or states.

Affirmative Form

The affirmative form asserts a past habit or state. It’s used to describe something that was true or happened regularly in the past.

Structure: Subject + used to + base form of the verb

Negative Form

The negative form denies a past habit or state. It indicates that something was not true or did not happen regularly in the past.

Structure Options:

  1. Subject + did not use to + base form of the verb
  2. Subject + never used to + base form of the verb

Interrogative Form

The interrogative form inquires about a past habit or state. It’s used to ask if something was true or happened regularly in the past.

Structure: Did + subject + use to + base form of the verb?

Examples of ‘Used To’

To fully grasp the usage of “used to,” let’s examine various examples in affirmative, negative, and interrogative forms.

Affirmative Examples

The following table provides a wide range of affirmative sentences using “used to.” These examples illustrate how to describe past habits, routines, and states that are no longer true.

Sentence Explanation
I used to smoke cigarettes. I smoked cigarettes regularly in the past, but I don’t anymore.
She used to live in France. She lived in France for a period of time, but she no longer lives there.
They used to go to the beach every summer. Going to the beach every summer was a regular activity for them in the past.
He used to play football in high school. He played football regularly during his high school years.
We used to have a dog named Max. We owned a dog named Max in the past, but we don’t have him anymore.
My grandmother used to bake bread every week. Baking bread every week was a regular activity for my grandmother.
He used to be very shy. He was shy in the past, but he is no longer shy.
We used to walk to school every day. Walking to school was a daily routine for us in the past.
She used to collect stamps. Collecting stamps was one of her hobbies in the past.
They used to believe in Santa Claus. They believed in Santa Claus when they were younger.
I used to hate vegetables. I disliked vegetables in the past, but now I might like them.
He used to work as a waiter. He had a job as a waiter in the past.
She used to sing in a choir. She was a member of a choir and sang regularly.
We used to visit our cousins every Christmas. Visiting our cousins was a Christmas tradition.
My father used to tell us stories before bed. Telling stories was a bedtime routine for my father.
She used to wear glasses. She wore glasses regularly in the past, but maybe she now wears contact lenses or has had surgery.
He used to have long hair. He had long hair in the past, but now his hair is short.
They used to live in a small village. They lived in a small village for a period of time, but now they live somewhere else.
I used to play video games all the time. I spent a lot of time playing video games in the past.
She used to be afraid of the dark. She was scared of the dark in the past, but she is no longer afraid.
They used to go camping every weekend. They went camping regularly on weekends in the past.
He used to be the class clown. He was known for being funny and making jokes in the past.
We used to eat a lot of junk food. We consumed a lot of unhealthy food regularly in the past.
My sister used to be a vegetarian. My sister followed a vegetarian diet in the past, but she doesn’t anymore.
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Negative Examples

The following table provides examples of negative sentences using “used to,” demonstrating how to express past habits or states that did not occur.

Sentence Explanation
I didn’t use to like spicy food. I disliked spicy food in the past, but now I might enjoy it.
She never used to travel abroad. She didn’t travel to foreign countries in the past, but now she might.
They didn’t use to own a car. They didn’t have a car in the past, but now they might own one.
He didn’t use to be interested in politics. He wasn’t interested in politics in the past, but his interests might have changed.
We never used to go to the gym. We didn’t go to the gym regularly in the past, but now we might.
My brother didn’t use to study much. My brother didn’t dedicate much time to studying in the past.
She didn’t use to wear makeup. She didn’t apply makeup regularly in the past.
They never used to argue. They didn’t have arguments or disagreements in the past.
I didn’t use to drink coffee. I didn’t consume coffee in the past, but now I might.
He never used to be late for appointments. He was always punctual in the past.
She didn’t use to play any sports. She didn’t participate in any sports in the past.
They never used to eat fast food. They avoided eating fast food in the past.
I didn’t use to worry about my health. I wasn’t concerned about my health in the past.
He never used to cook. He didn’t prepare meals in the past.
She didn’t use to watch TV. She didn’t spend time watching television in the past.
They never used to have pets. They didn’t own any pets in the past.
I didn’t use to enjoy reading. I didn’t find pleasure in reading in the past.
He never used to go to parties. He didn’t attend parties in the past.
She didn’t use to dance. She didn’t engage in dancing in the past.
They never used to travel by plane. They didn’t use airplanes for travel in the past.
I didn’t use to be so busy. I had more free time in the past.
He never used to complain. He didn’t express dissatisfaction in the past.
She didn’t use to have a computer. She didn’t own a computer in the past.
They never used to lock their doors. They didn’t secure their doors in the past.
I didn’t use to be afraid of heights. I wasn’t scared of heights in the past.

Interrogative Examples

The following table provides examples of interrogative sentences using “used to,” demonstrating how to ask about past habits or states.

Sentence Explanation
Did you use to play any sports? Are you inquiring if the person played any sports regularly in the past?
Did she use to work here? Are you asking if she was employed at this place in the past?
Did they use to live in this town? Are you asking if they resided in this town for a period of time in the past?
Did he use to be a teacher? Are you asking if he had a job as a teacher in the past?
Did we use to go to that restaurant? Are you asking if we dined at that restaurant regularly in the past?
Did your parents use to travel a lot? Are you asking if your parents traveled frequently in the past?
Did she use to have long hair? Are you asking if she had long hair in the past?
Did they use to own a pet? Are you asking if they had a pet in the past?
Did you use to study French? Are you asking if the person studied French in the past?
Did he use to play in a band? Are you asking if he was a member of a band and played music in the past?
Did she use to wear glasses? Are you asking if she wore glasses regularly in the past?
Did they use to walk to school? Are you asking if they walked to school regularly in the past?
Did you use to collect anything? Are you asking if the person had a hobby of collecting items in the past?
Did he use to be shy? Are you asking if he was shy in the past?
Did she use to live alone? Are you asking if she lived by herself in the past?
Did they use to visit their grandparents often? Are you asking if they visited their grandparents frequently in the past?
Did you use to watch cartoons? Are you asking if the person watched cartoons regularly in the past?
Did he use to work late? Are you asking if he regularly worked long hours in the past?
Did she use to be a good student? Are you asking if she excelled academically in the past?
Did they use to have a garden? Are you asking if they had a garden in the past?
Did you use to go camping? Are you asking if the person went camping regularly in the past?
Did he use to be overweight? Are you asking if he was overweight in the past?
Did she use to be afraid of flying? Are you asking if she was scared of flying in the past?
Did they use to eat a lot of sweets? Are you asking if they consumed a lot of sugary foods in the past?
Did you use to believe in ghosts? Are you asking if the person believed in ghosts in the past?
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Usage Rules

Several key rules govern the correct usage of “used to.” Understanding these rules will help you avoid common errors and use the phrase accurately.

  1. “Used to” always refers to the past. It cannot be used to describe present or future habits or states.
  2. The base form of the verb follows “used to.” For example, “I used to play,” not “I used to playing.”
  3. In negative sentences, use “did not use to” or “never used to.” Remember that “did” requires the base form of “use,” so it becomes “use to.”
  4. In questions, use “Did + subject + use to + base form of the verb?” Again, “did” requires the base form “use.”
  5. Be careful not to confuse “used to” with “to be used to” or “to get used to.” These phrases have different meanings related to being accustomed to something.

Common Mistakes

Several common mistakes can occur when using “used to.” Recognizing these errors and understanding how to correct them is crucial for accurate usage.

Incorrect Correct Explanation
I use to play tennis. I used to play tennis. “Used” must have the -d ending to indicate the past tense.
I used to playing tennis. I used to play tennis. The base form of the verb (play) must follow “used to.”
I didn’t used to like coffee. I didn’t use to like coffee. In negative sentences with “did,” use the base form “use.”
Did you used to live here? Did you use to live here? In questions with “did,” use the base form “use.”
I am used to play tennis. I used to play tennis. “Am used to” means “accustomed to,” which is different from “used to.”
I used to this. I used to do this. “Used to” needs to be followed by a verb, not a pronoun or noun.
She use to sing. She used to sing. The ‘d’ is essential to denote the past.
He didn’t used to be shy. He didn’t use to be shy. The base form of “use” should be used with “did.”
They didn’t used to liked it. They didn’t use to like it. The verb following “use to” should be in its base form.
We used to went there. We used to go there. “Go” is the base form and should follow “used to.”
I used to lived in London. I used to live in London. Use the base form of the verb “live.”
She used to had a cat. She used to have a cat. “Have” is the base form to use after “used to.”
Did you used to knew him? Did you use to know him? “Know” is the base form that should follow “use to.”
He didn’t used to understood. He didn’t use to understand. The base form “understand” is the correct form.
They used to be liking it. They used to like it. Use the base form of the verb “like”.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of “used to” with the following exercises.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following sentences using the correct form of “used to” and the verb in parentheses.

Question Answer
I ________ (live) in New York, but now I live in Los Angeles. I used to live in New York, but now I live in Los Angeles.
She ________ (not/like) coffee, but now she drinks it every day. She didn’t use to like coffee, but now she drinks it every day.
________ you ________ (play) a musical instrument when you were younger? Did you use to play a musical instrument when you were younger?
They ________ (go) to the beach every summer. They used to go to the beach every summer.
He ________ (not/be) so serious. He didn’t use to be so serious.
We ________ (have) a big garden when we lived in the countryside. We used to have a big garden when we lived in the countryside.
________ she ________ (work) at that company? Did she use to work at that company?
I ________ (hate) vegetables, but now I love them. I used to hate vegetables, but now I love them.
They ________ (not/speak) to each other. They didn’t use to speak to each other.
He ________ (be) the class clown. He used to be the class clown.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the Sentences

Rewrite the following sentences using “used to.”

Original Sentence Rewritten Sentence
I played football regularly when I was a child. I used to play football when I was a child.
She lived in Italy for five years, but she doesn’t live there now. She used to live in Italy.
They didn’t have a car in the past. They didn’t use to have a car.
Did you go to that school when you were young? Did you use to go to that school?
He was very shy when he was younger. He used to be very shy.
We visited our grandparents every summer. We used to visit our grandparents every summer.
She didn’t like chocolate in the past. She didn’t use to like chocolate.
Did you believe in Santa Claus when you were a child? Did you use to believe in Santa Claus?
I drank a lot of coffee in the past, but I don’t anymore. I used to drink a lot of coffee.
They went camping every weekend. They used to go camping every weekend.
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Exercise 3: Create Questions

Create questions using “used to” based on the following prompts.

Prompt Question
Your friend played the guitar in a band. Did you use to play the guitar in a band?
Your neighbor lived in another country. Did you use to live in another country?
Your classmate wore glasses. Did you use to wear glasses?
Your colleague worked at a different company. Did you use to work at a different company?
Your sibling had a pet. Did you use to have a pet?
Your teacher taught a different subject. Did you use to teach a different subject?
Your family went on vacation every year. Did you use to go on vacation every year?
Your roommate ate meat. Did you use to eat meat?
Your boss was stricter. Did you use to be stricter?
Your partner was more outgoing. Did you use to be more outgoing?

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, understanding the nuances and related concepts of “used to” can further enhance their proficiency.

Would vs. Used To

Both “would” and “used to” can describe past habits, but there are subtle differences. “Used to” can describe both past habits and past states, while “would” typically describes only repeated actions or habits.

“Would” is often used in narratives to describe typical behavior of characters.

Example using “used to” to describe a past state: I used to live in a small town.

Example using “would” to describe a past habit: Every summer, we would go camping in the mountains. (Here, “used to go” could also be used.)

“Would” cannot be used to describe past states that are no longer true. For instance, you can’t say “I would be shy” to mean you were shy in the past but aren’t anymore; you must use “I used to be shy.”

Getting Used To

“Getting used to” means becoming accustomed to something. It describes the process of adapting to a new situation or habit.

Structure: Subject + to be getting used to + gerund (verb + -ing)

Example: I am getting used to waking up early. (This means I am in the process of becoming accustomed to waking up early.)

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about “used to.”

  1. Can “used to” be used in the present or future tense?
    No, “used to” always refers to the past. There is no present or future form. To describe present habits, use the present simple tense. For future habits, use “will” or “be going to.”
  2. What is the difference between “used to,” “to be used to,” and “to get used to?”
    “Used to” describes past habits or states that are no longer true. “To be used to” means to be accustomed to something (e.g., I am used to the noise). “To get used to” means to become accustomed to something (e.g., I am getting used to the new job).
  3. How do I form negative sentences with “used to?”
    Use “did not use to” or “never used to” followed by the base form of the verb. For example, “I didn’t use to like coffee” or “I never used to like coffee.”
  4. How do I form questions with “used to?”
    Use “Did + subject + use to + base form of the verb?” For example, “Did you use to live here?”
  5. Can I use “would” instead of “used to?”
    Sometimes, but not always. “Would” can describe past habits, but it cannot describe past states. “Used to” can describe both.
  6. Is it correct to say “I use to”?
    No, it’s incorrect. The correct form is “I used to,” with the -d ending to indicate the past tense. The only exception is when used with “did” in negative or interrogative sentences (e.g. I didn’t use to like…, Did you use to live…?).
  7. What if I want to emphasize that something was definitely not a past habit?
    Using “never used to” adds emphasis, making it clear that something absolutely did not occur as a habit in the past. For example, ‘I never used to skip breakfast’ suggests a consistent and unbroken habit of eating breakfast.
  8. Can ‘used to’ be used with stative verbs?
    Yes, ‘used to’ can be used with stative verbs to describe past states. For example, “I used to believe in ghosts” describes a past belief that is no longer held.

Conclusion

Mastering “used to” is essential for expressing past habits, states, and situations that are no longer true. By understanding its structure, forms, and usage rules, you can effectively communicate changes over time and reminisce about the past.

Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to common mistakes to solidify your knowledge.

As you continue your English learning journey, keep practicing with varied examples and real-life conversations. Pay attention to how native speakers use “used to” in different contexts.

With consistent effort, you’ll confidently and accurately use “used to” in your everyday communication.