ENGLISHHUB.ACADEMY

Used To – grammar explanation

The expression “used to” is a powerful tool in English to talk about past habits, repeated actions, or states that no longer happen in the present. It’s commonly used when we want to emphasize that something was a regular part of our life in the past, but now it’s no longer true. This makes “used to” ideal for sharing stories, comparing past and present situations, or reminiscing about how things used to be. Let’s dive into how to use it correctly and explore its structure and common pitfalls.

1. What Does “Used To” Mean?

We use “used to” to talk about:

  1. Past Habits: Actions or behaviors that happened regularly in the past.
    • I used to play basketball every weekend. (But I don’t play it anymore.)
  2. Past States: Situations or conditions that were true in the past but have changed now.
    • She used to live in New York. (But she doesn’t live there anymore.)
  3. Past Repeated Actions: Activities that occurred repeatedly over a period of time in the past.
    • They used to go camping every summer. (But now they don’t.)

Think of it as a way to contrast the past with the present and highlight a change over time.

2. Structure of “Used To”

The structure of “used to” is straightforward:

  1. Affirmative Sentences:
    • Subject + used to + base form of the verb
      • I used to eat ice cream every day.
      • She used to play the piano.
  2. Negative Sentences:
    • Subject + didn’t use to + base form of the verb
      • I didn’t use to like vegetables.
      • He didn’t use to travel a lot.
  3. Questions:
    • Did + subject + use to + base form of the verb?
      • Did you use to play football?
      • Did they use to visit their grandparents?

Note: Pay attention to the spelling difference in negative and question forms — “use” (no “-d”) is used in these cases because the auxiliary “did” already indicates the past.

3. Common Mistakes with “Used To”

  1. Using the Present Form “Use To” Instead of the Past Form “Used To” in Affirmative Sentences:
    • Incorrect: I use to read a lot.
    • Correct: I used to read a lot.
  2. Forgetting “Didn’t” in Negative Sentences:
    • Incorrect: I didn’t used to like running.
    • Correct: I didn’t use to like running.
  3. Using “Used To” for Present Habits or Situations:
    • Incorrect: I used to go to the gym now. (This confuses past and present.)
    • Correct: I go to the gym now. OR I used to go to the gym when I was younger.

**4. “Used To” vs. “Would”

Both “used to” and “would” can be used to describe past habits or repeated actions, but there are some key differences:

  • “Used to” can describe both habits and past states.
    • I used to have a pet dog. (State: I owned a dog in the past.)
  • “Would” is only used for repeated past actions, not states.
    • When we were kids, we would ride our bikes every evening. (Action: a repeated behavior)

Therefore, you cannot say:

  • I would have a pet dog. (Incorrect, because this is a state.)

Instead, you should say:

  • I used to have a pet dog. (Correct, because “used to” can describe past states.)

5. How to Use “Used To” for Emphasis

If you want to put more emphasis on the difference between the past and the present, you can add time expressions or specific details:

  • I used to play the piano when I was a child, but now I don’t have time for it.
  • She used to work at the library before she became a teacher.

Adding these details helps paint a clearer picture of how life has changed.

6. “Used To” in Storytelling

“Used to” is also a great tool for storytelling, as it can set the scene and show how things were different in the past:

  • When I was young, I used to walk to school every day. There was a small bakery along the way, and I would stop there to buy a piece of bread.

Here, using both “used to” and “would” creates a vivid image of the past, making your stories more engaging.

7. Key Takeaways

  • Use “used to” for past habits, repeated actions, and states that no longer happen.
  • Form it with “used to” + base verb in affirmative sentences.
  • Use “didn’t use to” for negatives and “Did … use to?” for questions.
  • Remember: “used to” is best for contrasting past and present situations.

With “used to,” you can reminisce about the past and share stories more effectively in English! Let me know if you need any other clarifications or want to dive deeper into this topic.