openMind Level 3

Unit 2 Grammar 1

USED TO
 USED TO

• Used to is a phrase that can mean

“accustomed or habituated to” or refers to
something from the past that is no longer
true.
• When your intention is to say the equivalent
of accustomed to or habituated to, always
write used to and never use to.
 USED TO

What did you I loved art and drama. I

use to do at used to be involved in theater
school? performances. I didn't use to
like academic subjects much.
I was terrible at math!

base
The verb after used to is in the ________ form.
used to
In affirmative statements, we use ________.
In negative statements and questions, we use
________.
use to
 USED TO

Affirmative Negative

You _________ didn't use to

used to wear really I ____________wear the
colorful clothes! kind of clothes I wear
these days.

Questions Short answers

_____
Did you ___________
use to Yes, I did.
have more free time when No, I didn't.
you were younger?
 USED TO

Other examples using used to:

• Did you use to be quite athletic?

• Yes, I used to play all kinds of sports, but now I

don't really have the time. What sports did you use
to play?

• I didn't use to do very much. I never used to be

involved with school sports teams, but now I love it.

• My brother always used to like sports video games,

but now he doesn't that much.
 USED TO

1. Which answer uses the same grammar as the

question? b
2. Which part of the grammar structure in the question
and answer tells you it is a past activity?
No, I didn't have dyed
a.
Did you use to hair.
have pink hair?
b. Yes, I always used to dye
it that color.

TIP: When speaking, the final -d in the

affirmative used to is not pronounced.
 USED TO

Examples of used to with never and always:

My mom always used to give me five

dollars a week as an allowance.

My brother never used to get up before

10 a.m. during his vacation.
TIP: In a negative statement with never,

we use used to, not the negative form.