Welcome to today’s English grammar lesson! We’re going to explore a very useful phrase for talking about the past: ‘used to’ + infinitive. This is a key part of B1 level English, and mastering it will really help you describe your past habits and routines, making your spoken English much more natural and fluent. If you want to improve your spoken English and talk confidently about your past, you’re in the right place!

What is ‘Used to’? Talking About Past Habits

We use ‘used to’ + infinitive to describe things that were true in the past but are no longer true now. It’s all about past habits, routines, or situations that existed regularly but have changed. Think about things you did regularly when you were younger, or things that were true in your life a long time ago but aren’t anymore. That’s where ‘used to’ comes in!

For example, think about these situations:

• When you were a child, maybe you used to play outside every day after school. But now, perhaps you work or study and don’t have as much free time.
• Perhaps your best friend used to live in your city, but now they live in a different country.
• Maybe you used to drink a lot of coffee, but you’ve stopped now.

In all these cases, the action or situation was true in the past, but it’s not true now. That’s the core meaning of ‘used to’.

How to Form ‘Used to’ – Grammar Structure

The structure of ‘used to’ is quite simple:

Subject + used to + infinitive verb

Let’s break this down:

• Subject: This is who is doing the action (e.g., I, you, he, she, it, we, they).
• used to: This part stays the same for all subjects. Notice the ‘d’ at the end! Don’t forget it.
• Infinitive verb: This is the base form of the verb (e.g., play, live, drink, go, be, have). It’s the verb in its simplest form, often with ‘to’ in front (but we don’t use ‘to’ here after ‘used to’, just the base verb).

Positive Sentences with ‘Used to’

For positive sentences, it’s straightforward:

Subject + used to + infinitive verb

Here are some examples:

• I used to walk to school when I was younger.
• She used to have long hair.
• They used to go swimming every summer.
• My grandfather used to tell me stories about his childhood.
• We used to live in a small village.

Negative Sentences with ‘Used to’

To make negative sentences with ‘used to’, we use ‘didn’t use to’. Notice that when we use ‘didn’t’, ‘used’ becomes ‘use’ – we remove the ‘d’.

Subject + didn’t use to + infinitive verb

Here are some examples of negative sentences:

• I didn’t use to like vegetables, but now I love them.
• He didn’t use to play any sports.
• They didn’t use to travel much.
• She didn’t use to be very confident, but she is now.
• We didn’t use to have a car.

Questions with ‘Used to’

To ask questions with ‘used to’, we use ‘Did… use to?’. Again, like in negative sentences, we use ‘use’ (without the ‘d’) after ‘did’.

Did + Subject + use to + infinitive verb?

Here are some examples of questions:

• Did you use to play video games when you were a child?
• Did she use to work here?
• Did they use to live in this neighborhood?
• Did he use to speak French?
• Did we use to know each other?

When to Use ‘Used to’ – Specific Situations

We use ‘used to’ for several types of past situations that are no longer true:

1. Past Habits and Routines

This is the most common use. We use ‘used to’ to talk about things we did regularly in the past, but we don’t do anymore.

Examples:

• I used to go to the gym every day after work. (But now I’m too busy).
• She used to wake up early and go for a run. (But now she prefers to sleep in).
• They used to eat meat, but now they are vegetarians.

2. Past States

We can also use ‘used to’ to describe states or situations that were true in the past but are no longer true. This can be about feelings, opinions, or general situations.

Examples:

• I used to believe in Santa Claus. (But now I know he’s not real).
• This city used to be much quieter. (But now it’s very noisy and busy).
• He used to be very shy. (But now he’s very outgoing and confident).
• There used to be a cinema here. (But now it’s a supermarket).

Important Note: ‘Used to’ vs. ‘Would’ for Past Habits

Sometimes, learners get confused between ‘used to’ and ‘would’ for past habits. While both can describe repeated actions in the past, there’s a slight difference.

• ‘Used to’ can describe both past habits AND past states (as we saw above).
• ‘Would’ is generally used only for past habits and repeated actions, especially in stories or when recalling memories. We cannot use ‘would’ to describe past states.

For example:

• Correct: I used to play football every day. (Habit)
• Correct: I would play football every day. (Habit – often in storytelling)
• Correct: I used to live in London. (Past state)
• Incorrect: I would live in London. (Cannot use ‘would’ for past states)

For B1 level English, focusing on ‘used to’ is more important and versatile for describing past habits and states in general conversation.

Common Mistakes with ‘Used to’

Here are a few common mistakes that English learners sometimes make with ‘used to’, and how to avoid them:

1. Forgetting the ‘d’ in negative and question forms

Remember, in negative sentences and questions, we use ‘didn’t use to’ and ‘Did… use to?’. It’s easy to forget to change ‘used’ to ‘use’ after ‘did’.

Incorrect: I didn’t used to like coffee.

Correct: I didn’t use to like coffee.

Incorrect: Did you used to live here?

Correct: Did you use to live here?

2. Confusing ‘used to’ with ‘be used to’

‘Be used to’ is completely different! It means ‘to be accustomed to’ or ‘to be familiar with’. It describes something that is normal or not strange for you. It has nothing to do with past habits.

‘Used to’ + infinitive: Past habits (e.g., I used to play football).

‘Be used to’ + -ing form (gerund): Being accustomed to something (e.g., I am used to waking up early).

Don’t confuse them!

Let’s Practice! – Test Your Understanding

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of ‘used to’ (positive, negative, or question). Use the verb in brackets.

1. When I was a child, I _______ _______ (believe) in fairy tales.
2. _______ you _______ (live) in Italy before you moved here?
3. She _______ _______ (drink) tea in the morning, but now she drinks coffee.
4. They _______ _______ (have) a garden, but they live in an apartment now.
5. He _______ _______ (be) very outgoing, he was quite shy.
6. _______ your parents _______ (own) a car when you were young?
7. We _______ _______ (go) to the beach every weekend in the summer.
8. I _______ _______ (like) spicy food, but now I love it.
9. My brother _______ _______ (play) the piano, but he doesn’t anymore.
10. _______ she _______ (work) in a bank before becoming a teacher?

Answers to the Practice Exercises

1. When I was a child, I used to believe in fairy tales.
2. Did you use to live in Italy before you moved here?
3. She used to drink tea in the morning, but now she drinks coffee.
4. They used to have a garden, but they live in an apartment now.
5. He didn’t use to be very outgoing, he was quite shy.
6. Did your parents use to own a car when you were young?
7. We used to go to the beach every weekend in the summer.
8. I didn’t use to like spicy food, but now I love it.
9. My brother used to play the piano, but he doesn’t anymore.
10. Did she use to work in a bank before becoming a teacher?

Boost Your Spoken English and Practice ‘Used to’ with Lingofrnd!

Now you understand how to use ‘used to’ to talk about past habits! The best way to really master this grammar point is to practice speaking. Think about your own past – what did you use to do when you were younger? What didn’t you use to like? Practice making sentences about yourself and your experiences.

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Keep practicing, and you’ll be using ‘used to’ like a pro in no time! Happy learning!