Expressing past habits:

‘used to’ + infinitive

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Lead-in

How many different ways can we talk

about the past in English?

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Meaning and Use
We use used to + infinitive to talk about a past situation that is no longer true.
It tells us that there was a repeated action or state in the past which has now
changed.

Actions:
My brother used to run five miles every day.
I didn’t use to go to bed early, but now I have to for my job.

States:
Britain used to be part of the European Union.
I used to have a garden.
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Form
Used to has no present form or any other form.

Positive
I used to live in London.
Negative
I didn’t use to live in London.
Question
Did you use to live in London?

Notice that we pronounce used to (/juːstə/) and used (/juːzd/) differently!

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Check your understanding

1. Does 'used to' + infinitive refer to the past?

2. Is the situation the same now?
3. Does it refer to a single action?

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Careful!
Used to + infinitive and be/get used to + -ing look similar but they
have very different uses.

I didn't use to have a full-time job.

(At some time in the past, I didn’t have a full-time job but now I do)

I wasn't used to having a full-time job.

(Having a full-time job was a new and difficult experience - I hadn't
done it before)
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Key point: Comparison with other structures
Remember, used to has no present form:
He used to play tennis. (past) -> He plays tennis. (present)

We cannot use used to for interrupted past actions, or to say what happened
at a past time, or how long it took or how many times it happened:
I used to walk my dog when my mobile rang.
I used to study hard last month.
I used to live in Singapore for two years.
I used to go to the supermarket three times last week.

Grammar tip: Used to is for past habits and states that have changed!

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Grammar Checkout

Now try this! Find the mistakes:

1. Did you used to smoke?

2. There wasn’t used to be a café on this street.
3. I used to watch TV when the doorbell rang.
4. I use to go swimming every Saturday.

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Grammar Checkout - Answers

Now try this! Find the mistakes:

1. Did you used to smoke?

2. There wasn’t didn't use to be a café on this street.
3. I used to was watching TV when the doorbell rang.
4. I used to go swimming every Saturday.

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https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/b1-b2-grammar/past-habits-
used-to-would-and-the-past-simple
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