Used to

Tutorial on "Used To"

**"Used to"** is a phrase in English that we use to talk about habits, behaviors, or states in the past that no longer happen in the present. It's a way to indicate that something was regular or true before but has changed over time.

Structure of "Used To"

1. **Affirmative Form**: 

   - Subject + used to + base form of the verb

   - Example: *I used to play the piano.*

2. **Negative Form**: 

   - Subject + didn’t use to + base form of the verb

   - Example: *She didn’t use to like coffee.* (Note: "didn't" requires the base form "like" without the "d".)

3. **Interrogative Form**: 

   - Did + subject + use to + base form of the verb?

   - Example: *Did they use to live in New York?*

When to Use "Used To"

**1. Past Habits or Routines:**

   - "Used to" indicates habits or actions that were common in the past.

   - Example: *When I was a child, I used to ride my bike every day.*

**2. States in the Past:**

   - It also describes situations or conditions that were true in the past but have changed.

   - Example: *There used to be a cinema near my house.*

**3. Negative Form for Past Habits:**

   - Use the negative form to state something that was not true or did not happen regularly in the past.

   - Example: *I didn’t use to like vegetables, but now I do.*

**4. Questions about Past Habits:**

   - Use it in questions to ask about past routines or conditions.

   - Example: *Did you use to play any sports?*

Examples in Context

1. **Affirmative**:

   - *He used to go fishing every summer with his father.*

     - (This indicates that he regularly went fishing in the past, but not anymore.)

2. **Negative**:

   - *We didn’t use to have smartphones when I was a teenager.*

     - (This means that smartphones were not a part of life in the past.)

3. **Interrogative**:

   - *Did you use to play any musical instruments?*

     - (This asks if the person regularly played any instruments in the past.)

Summary

- **"Used to"** helps us talk about actions, habits, or states that were true in the past but have changed.

- The structure is straightforward, with affirmative, negative, and interrogative forms.

- Use it to reflect on past routines, habits, or facts that are no longer applicable.

Practice

Try creating sentences with "used to" using the prompts below:

1. *I (play) video games every weekend.*

2. *They (not like) spicy food in the past.*

3. *Did you (go) to summer camp as a child?*

I used to play football a lot, but now I don't.

Reading and Writing 

Read the following paragraphs and write a similar one for yourself, talking about how your habits have changed over the years.

A

When I was younger, I used to play video games for hours every day. My parents didn’t like this and wished I played outside more. Now, I focus on my studies and have different hobbies. I run every morning, which helps me feel good and ready for the day. I also try to read a book every week to learn and have fun. I still play video games sometimes, but only as a short break instead of all the time.

B

A few years ago, I used to stay up late watching TV shows, even on school nights. It was my favorite way to relax, but I often felt tired the next day. Now, I prefer going to bed early so I can wake up feeling refreshed. I also used to eat a lot of junk food, like chips and candy. These days, I choose healthier snacks, such as fruit and yogurt, because they give me more energy. I used to be very shy and didn’t like talking in front of people. However, I now enjoy joining group discussions at school and feel more confident speaking up.