Used toA2

Edit on

Used to for past habits and states that are over now, such as living in Rome years ago. After did and didn't the verb is use to, without the d: Did you use to play? I didn't use to like fish.

No information at the current level. This view starts at A2: choose A2 or a higher level.

CheatsheetA2

Point	Rule	Example
Affirmative	used to + V: the same for every subject	She used to live in Rome.
Negative	didn't use to + V	We didn't use to have a car.
Question	Did + subject + use to + V	Did you use to walk to school? — Yes, I did.
Use	past habits and states that are over now	I used to walk to school. / We used to have a dog.
Past simple	a single event, or a stated time or number	I lived in Paris for two years.
Position	always, often and never go before used to	He always used to be late.
Sound	the d is silent: used to sounds like use-ta	I used to swim.
Trap	the affirmative keeps the d: used to	I used to play football.
Trap	after did and didn't the d goes: use to	I didn't use to like it.

Form: affirmativeA2

Subject	Form	Example
all subjects	used to + V	She used to live in Rome.

The form is the same for every subject: I / he / they used to live here.
used to is followed by the base verb: used to play.
used to exists only in the past.

Form: negativeA2

Subject	Form	Example
all subjects	didn't use to + V	We didn't use to have a car.

After didn't the form is use to, with no -d.
never also makes a negative: I never used to like fish.

Form: questionsA2

Auxiliary + subject	Verb	Example
Did + subject	use to + V	Did you use to walk to school?
wh-word + did + subject	use to + V	Where did you use to live?

After Did the form is use to, with no -d.
A short answer repeats did: Yes, I did. / No, I didn't.

Pronunciation: used toA2

Form	IPA	Example
used to	/ˈjuːst tə/	I used to swim.
use to	/juːs tə/	Did you use to swim?

The d is silent in speech: used to sounds like use-ta.

UseA2

Use	Example
Past habits	I used to walk to school.
Past states	We used to have a dog.
Past situations that changed	There used to be a cinema here.

The habit or state is over now. The speaker compares past and present.

Signal wordsA2

Expression	Example
when I was a child / young	When I was a child, I used to climb trees.
in those days	People used to write letters in those days.
years ago	I used to smoke years ago.
always / often / never	He always used to be late.
but now	I used to run, but now I swim.

always, often and never go before used to: He always used to be late.

Compare: used to vs past simpleA2

Used to	Past simple
past habits and states, over now	finished actions, stated time or number
I used to live in Paris.	I lived in Paris for two years.
We used to eat out on Fridays.	We ate out last Friday.
Did you use to have a dog?	Did you have a dog last year?

A single event takes the past simple: I visited Rome in May.
A habit with a time expression takes either form: I played football every Saturday.
See Past simple.

Typical errorsA2

✗	✓	Rule
I use to play football.	I used to play football.	affirmative → used to, with -d
Did you used to play?	Did you use to play?	after did → use to
I didn't used to like it.	I didn't use to like it.	after didn't → use to
I used to playing football.	I used to play football.	used to + base verb