Used to

“Used to” Grammar Explanation

The phrase “used to” is commonly used in English to talk about past habits or states that are no longer true. It helps to differentiate between something that happened regularly or continuously in the past but does not happen now. Here’s a comprehensive guide to using “used to” correctly:

Structure and Usage

Affirmative Form:

  • Structure: Subject + used to + base form of the verb
  • Usage: To describe habits or states that were true in the past but are no longer true.

Examples:

  • I used to play tennis every weekend. (I don’t play tennis every weekend now.)
  • She used to live in New York. (She doesn’t live in New York now.)
  • They used to be friends. (They are not friends now.)

Negative Form:

  • Structure: Subject + didn’t use to + base form of the verb
  • Usage: To describe something that did not happen regularly or was not true in the past.

Examples:

  • I didn’t use to like vegetables. (I like vegetables now.)
  • He didn’t use to go to the gym. (He goes to the gym now.)
  • We didn’t use to have a car. (We have a car now.)

Question Form:

  • Structure: Did + subject + use to + base form of the verb
  • Usage: To ask about past habits or states.

Examples:

  • Did you use to play soccer?
  • Did she use to work here?
  • Did they use to travel often?

Common Mistakes and Clarifications

  1. Don’t confuse “used to” with “be used to” and “get used to”:
    • “Used to” describes past habits or states.
      • Example: I used to play basketball.
    • “Be used to” means being accustomed to something.
      • Example: I am used to waking up early.
    • “Get used to” means becoming accustomed to something.
      • Example: I am getting used to my new job.
  2. Negative form is “didn’t use to” (not “didn’t used to”):
    • Correct: I didn’t use to like coffee.
    • Incorrect: I didn’t used to like coffee.
  3. In questions, use “Did…use to” (not “Did…used to”):
    • Correct: Did you use to play the piano?
    • Incorrect: Did you used to play the piano?

Exercise 1: Complete the Sentences

Complete the sentences with the correct form of “used to.”

  1. I __________ (play) soccer every day after school.
  2. She __________ (not/like) vegetables when she was a child.
  3. __________ (you/live) in this neighborhood?
  4. We __________ (go) to the beach every summer.
  5. He __________ (have) long hair in college.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the Sentences

Rewrite the sentences using “used to.”

  1. She was in the habit of reading books every night.
  2. They don’t play football as they did in their youth.
  3. He wasn’t in the habit of drinking coffee.
  4. Did she always eat breakfast before going to school?
  5. I don’t go jogging in the mornings anymore.

Exercise 1

  1. used to play
  2. didn’t use to like
  3. Did you use to live
  4. used to go
  5. used to have

Exercise 2

  1. She used to read books every night.
  2. They used to play football in their youth.
  3. He didn’t use to drink coffee.
  4. Did she use to eat breakfast before going to school?
  5. I used to go jogging in the mornings.

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