The English phrase "used to"

 The English phrase "used to" is a very common and important structure used to talk about past habits, states, or situations that are no longer true in the present. It always refers to something that happened regularly or was true over a period in the past, but has now stopped or changed.

Here's a detailed breakdown of how to use it:

1. Talking about Past Habits or Repeated Actions

This is the most frequent use. It indicates an action that you regularly did in the past, but don't do anymore.

• Structure: Subject + used to + base form of the verb
• Examples:
  • I used to play soccer every weekend, but now I don't have time. (Meaning: In the past, I regularly played soccer, but I stopped.)
  • She used to live in London before she moved to Tokyo. (Meaning: She regularly lived in London, but she doesn't live there now.)
  • They used to go to that restaurant a lot, but it closed last year. (Meaning: They frequently went to that restaurant, but they stopped because it closed.)
  • When I was a kid, my dad used to read me bedtime stories. (Meaning: This was a regular activity in my childhood.)

2. Talking about Past States or Situations

"Used to" can also describe conditions or states that were true in the past but are no longer true.

• Structure: Subject + used to + be / have / know (or other stative verbs)
• Examples:
  • There used to be a cinema on this street, but it's a supermarket now. (Meaning: A cinema existed here in the past, but it doesn't anymore.)
  • He used to be very shy, but he's much more outgoing now. (Meaning: His state of being shy changed.)
  • I used to have long hair, but I cut it short last month. (Meaning: My hair was long in the past, but it's not now.)
  • She used to know how to play the piano, but she's forgotten most of it. (Meaning: She had the knowledge/skill, but she doesn't fully have it now.)

3. Forming Questions and Negatives

This is where "used to" can sometimes be tricky because it acts a bit like a regular verb in these forms. You use "did" for questions and "didn't" for negatives.

• Questions: Did + Subject + use to + base form of the verb?

  • Did you use to wear glasses?
  • Did she use to live in that house?
  • Where did you use to work?

• Negatives: Subject + didn't + use to + base form of the verb

  • I didn't use to like sushi, but now I love it. (Meaning: In the past, I disliked sushi, but that's changed.)
  • He didn't use to smoke, but he started recently.
  • They didn't use to argue so much.

  Common mistake: People sometimes incorrectly say "I used to not" or "did you used to?". Remember to use "did/didn't use to".

4. Important Points & Common Mistakes

• No Present or Future Form: "Used to" only refers to the past. You cannot say "I use to play" for the present or "I will use to play" for the future.

  • For present habits, use the simple present tense (e.g., "I usually play soccer.").
  • For future habits, use "will" or "am going to" with adverbs like "always," "often," etc. (e.g., "I will always try to be on time.")

• Pronunciation: The 'd' in "used to" is often not pronounced very strongly, making it sound like "use to" /juːstə/. However, in writing, it's always "used to."

• Confusion with "be used to" and "get used to":

  These are completely different structures!

  • Be used to + -ing / noun: Means "to be accustomed to something" or "to be familiar with something."

    • I am used to waking up early. (I am accustomed to it now.)
    • She is used to the cold weather. (She is familiar with it.)

  • Get used to + -ing / noun: Means "to become accustomed to something" or "to adapt to something."

    • It took me a while to get used to living alone. (I adapted to it over time.)
    • You'll get used to the new system. (You will adapt to it.)

  Always be careful not to confuse "used to" (past habits) with "be used to" or "get used to" (accustomization).

By understanding these rules, you'll be able to use "used to" correctly and effectively to describe past situations and habits in English.