Used To (Past Habits and States)
Use 'used to' to talk about habits or states that were true in the past but are not true now.
Level A2
Verbs & Verb Patterns
Summary
- Use 'used to' to talk about habits or states that were true in the past but are not true now.
Structure
subject + used to + base verb
Examples
- I used to play the piano when I was a child.
- There used to be a cinema on this street.
- She used to smoke, but she quit last year.
- Did you use to walk to school?
Common mistakes
- • In questions and negatives, drop the -d: NOT 'Did you used to' → 'Did you use to.'
- • Don't use 'used to' for present habits: NOT 'I used to go to the gym now' → 'I usually go to the gym now.'
Related
More verbs & verb patterns
Gerunds vs Infinitives
B2
Some verbs are followed by a gerund (-ing form) and others by an infinitive (to + verb). The choice depends on the first verb, and a few verbs change meaning depending on which form follows.
Phrasal Verbs (Introduction)
B1
A phrasal verb is a verb combined with a particle (like up, off, on, out) that often creates a new meaning. Some can be separated by their object, and some cannot.
Have Got
A2
'Have got' is a common British way to talk about possession, relationships, and characteristics. It means the same as 'have' but forms questions and negatives without 'do'.
Imperatives
A1
Imperatives give orders, instructions, invitations, and warnings. They use the base form of the verb with no subject; for negatives, put 'don't' first.
Like, Love, Hate + Verb-ing
A2
After verbs of liking and disliking such as like, love, enjoy, and hate, we usually use the -ing form of the next verb to talk about activities in general.
Be: Present Forms
A1
The verb 'be' has three present forms: am, is, and are. It links the subject to a description, identity, or location.