Grammar – Used to for Habitual Past Actions

Use used to to talk about habits in the past. These actions have no place in the present.

Affirmative
As a child, I used to love avocados, but I don’t anymore.
When we were children, our parents used to take us to the mountain on vacation. (This doesn’t happen
anymore)
As a teenager, I used to play basketball 8 hours a day, but I don’t anymore.
When Jenny was little, she used to play with Barbie dolls all the time. (She doesn’t do that anymore)
Form: Subject + used to + simple verb
Negative
I didn’t use to like pineapples as a kid, but I love them now.
As teenagers, we didn’t use to go to parties until late at night, but we do now as adults.
My sister didn’t use to like Peter at all, but they’re dating now.
Form: Subject + didn’t use to + simple verb
Wh-Questions

What games did you use to play when you were little? I used to play hide-and-seek.
Where did you use to go on vacation as a child? We used to go to the beach on vacation…
Form: Wh-Word + did + Subject + use to + Simple Verb

Yes/No Questions

Did you use to watch TV all afternoon as a kid? Yes, I did. I used to watch TV all… / No, I didn’t. I didn’t use to
watch TV…
Did you use to like vegetables when you were little? Yes, I did. / No, I didn’t.
Form: Did + Subject + use to + Simple Verb