ENGLISH GRAMMAR
Used to + Infinitive for past habits or situations
(example : I used to smoke)
The structure used to + the infinitive is sometimes confusing for learners of English.
Here is an explanation with examples of use.
AFFIRMATIVE | NEGATIVE | INTERROGATIVE | |
Long Form | Contracted Form | ||
I used to smoke | I did not use to smoke | I didn't use to smoke | Did I use to smoke? |
You used to smoke | You did not use to smoke | You didn't use to smoke | Did you use to smoke? |
He/she used to smoke | He/she did not use to smoke | He/she didn't use to smoke | Did he/she use to smoke? |
We used to smoke | We did not use to smoke | We didn't use to smoke | Did we use to smoke? |
You used to smoke | You did not use to smoke | You didn't use to smoke | Did you use to smoke? |
They used to smoke | They did not use to smoke | They didn't use to smoke | Did they use to smoke? |
The structure used to + infinitive is used to refer to a past habit or situation which no longer exists at the present time.
- It refers to past habits and states that do not exist today, something that
you did regularly or repeatedly in the past but no longer
do today.
- It exists only in the past.
Examples :
- Tom used to drink coffee. Now he prefers tea.
- Julie used to fly from London to Paris. Now she takes the Eurostar.
- I used to drive to work. Now I take the underground.
- Bill used to live in Wales. Now he lives in Scotland.
- Wendy used to eat meat. Now she's a vegetarian.
- Eva used to wear glasses. Now she wears contact lenses.
- My mother didn't use to do much exercise. Now she goes walking with a friend.
- My grandfather didn't use to approve of social networks.
Now he uses them every day to stay in contact with his grandchildren!
- This structure cannot be used to say how often
something happened, or how long it took.
- Julie used to visit Paris seven times. Julie visited Paris seven times.
- Bill used to live in Wales for three years. Bill lived in Wales for three years.
N.B. Do not to confuse 'used to' with 'to be/to get
used to'.
See also: 'would vs 'used to'