What Does Used To Mean?
Used to + base verb talks about something that happened again and again, or was true, in the past. It is not true now. The base verb is the verb with nothing added: play, live, be.
PAST HABITI don't play now
True then, not now.
I used to play badminton after school.
PAST STATEThey live in the city now
My parents used to live near Mỹ Tho.
A HABIT NOWPresent simple
I usually walk to work.
Used to is only for the past. For habits now, use the present simple.
To show the change, add any more at the end of a negative: She doesn't eat meat any more.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"When I was little, I blank afraid of dogs."
- Question 2
"Nowadays I blank coffee at home."
The forms
POSITIVE
Sused tobase verb
Hà used to have very short hair.
The same for every subject. No -s.
NEGATIVE
Sdidn'tuse tobase verb
We didn't use to have a car.
QUESTION
DidSuse tobase verb?
Did you use to wear glasses? Yes, I did.
didn't use to, Did … use to? In a positive sentence it is always used to.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"blank your grandfather use to work on a farm?"
Used To or Past Simple?
The past simple can also talk about old habits. But when you say how many times or exactly how long, only the past simple works.
| USED TO | PAST SIMPLE | |
|---|---|---|
| How many times | We used to visit Sa Pa every winter. | We visited Sa Pa three times. |
| How long | I used to work in a bank. | I worked in a bank for six years. |
Common mistakes
Incorrect:I use to drink tea every morning.
Correct:I usually drink tea every morning.
A habit now takes the present simple, not used to.
Incorrect:I use to live in Cần Thơ.
Correct:I used to live in Cần Thơ.
It sounds like use to, but a positive sentence needs the -d.
Incorrect:Did you used to play tennis?
Correct:Did you use to play tennis?
Did is already past. Write use to.
Incorrect:She used to went to the gym.
Correct:She used to go to the gym.
After used to, always the base verb.
Incorrect:I used to go to Đà Lạt four times.
Correct:I went to Đà Lạt four times.
Counted trips are single events. Use the past simple.
Quick check · 5 questions
Choose the correct form:
Our neighbour used to keep chickens in her garden, but she sold them last year.
- A. used to — Correct
- B. uses to
- C. use to
Answer: A. used to
No -s for she, and keep the -d. The chickens are gone, so this is the past.
Choose the correct sentence:
Mai still has piano lessons. She has a lesson every Saturday.
- A. has a lesson — Correct
- B. used to have a lesson
- C. use to have a lesson
Answer: A. has a lesson
Used to means it stopped. There is no "use to" for now.
Choose the correct negative:
Long didn't use to like spicy food, but now he puts chilli on everything.
- A. didn't use to — Correct
- B. didn't used to
- C. wasn't use to
Answer: A. didn't use to
Did is already past. The -d goes.
Choose the correct question:
Did your school use to have a uniform?
- A. Did your school use to have a uniform? — Correct
- B. Does your school use to have a uniform?
- C. Was your school use to have a uniform?
Answer: A. Did your school use to have a uniform?
Questions with used to work like any past simple question. There is no present use to.
Choose the correct tense:
We lived in that flat for two years before we moved here.
- A. lived — Correct
- B. used to live
Answer: A. lived
For two years says exactly how long. Used to does not count.
See whether it really stuck.
Start the quiz · 14 questions
