How do I make negative sentences with 'used to'?

Use 'didn't use to' + base verb: 'I didn't use to like coffee.' Note: 'used' loses the 'd' after 'didn't' → 'didn't use to.'

What is the difference between 'used to' and 'would'?

'Used to' works for past habits AND states. 'Would' only works for repeated past actions, not states: 'I used to live there' (not 'I would live there').

How do I ask questions with 'used to'?

Use 'Did + subject + use to...?' 'Did you use to play football?' 'Where did you use to live?' Remember to use 'use' not 'used' after 'did'.

How do I answer 'used to' questions?

Answer with 'Yes, I did' or 'No, I didn't.' You can also give full answers: 'Yes, I used to have very long hair.'

Can I use 'used to' for present habits?

No. For present habits, use present simple with adverbs like 'usually' or 'always'. Do not say 'I use to drink coffee.'

What's the difference between 'used to' and 'be used to'?

'Used to' is for past habits. 'Be used to' means to be accustomed to something in the present: 'I am used to the cold weather.' It's followed by a noun or gerund.

What are common time expressions with 'used to'?

Use with time phrases: 'when I was a child', 'years ago', 'in those days', 'back then', 'when I lived in...'. Example: 'I used to ride a bike to school when I was young.'

CEFR A2

Used To

Q: What does 'used to' mean?

'Used to' describes past habits, routines, or states that are no longer true now: 'I used to smoke' means I smoked in the past but I don't anymore.

Learn to use 'used to' to talk about past habits, routines, and states that are no longer true in the present.

Used To

What You Will Learn

Use 'used to' to talk about past habits, routines, and states that were true in the past but are no longer true now.

Talk about past habits and routines that have changed

Describe past states and situations that are different now

Master the structure: used to + base verb for all subjects

Make negative sentences (didn't use to) and questions (Did... use to?)

What Does "Used To" Mean?

USED TO + base verb describes past habits or states that are no longer true. It implies things are different now.

I used to smoke. (but I don't now)She used to live in Hanoi.They used to be friends.He used to play football every week.

No present form

'Used to' has no present tense form. For present habits use 'usually': 'I usually eat breakfast.' ✗ 'I use to eat breakfast.' 'Used to' only refers to the past.

We use 'used to' to talk about things that were true in the past but are not true anymore. It shows that something has changed.

For Past Habits

✓ Things you did regularly in the past

✓ Routines that have changed

✓ Example: "I used to go to the gym every day."

✓ Meaning: I went regularly before, but I don't now

For Past States

✓ Things that were true about you

✓ Situations that have changed

✓ Example: "I used to live in New York."

✓ Meaning: I lived there before, but I don't now

Simple Rule!

Used to + base verb = something happened regularly or was true in the past, but it's different now

✓ I used to play football. (I played before, but I don't now)

✓ She used to live here. (She lived here before, but she doesn't now)

✓ We used to be friends. (We were friends before, but we aren't now)

A New Life in the City

When Maria was young, she used to live in a small village. She used to walk to school every morning and play in the fields after class.

Her family used to grow vegetables in their garden, and they used to have dinner together at sunset every evening.

Now Maria lives in a big city. She didn't use to like the noise, but she's used to it now. She works in an office and takes the train to work.

Sometimes she misses the village. "Did you use to prefer the countryside?" her friend asked. "Yes, I did," Maria replied, "but I love my new life too."

Maria's story shows how 'used to' connects our past experiences with our present reality — highlighting the changes that shape who we are.

Complete Used To Guide

Here's everything you need to know about 'used to' at A2 level.

Form	Structure	Example	Meaning
Affirmative	Subject + used to + base verb	I used to play piano.	I played piano in the past (not now)
Negative	Subject + didn't + use to + base verb	I didn't use to like coffee.	I didn't like coffee before (I do now)
Question	Did + subject + use to + base verb?	Did you use to live here?	Did you live here in the past?

Common Verb	Meaning	Example with Used To
play	participate in sport/game	I used to play tennis.
live	reside in a place	She used to live in Paris.
go	travel to	We used to go camping.
have	possess	He used to have a motorcycle.
be	exist in a state	They used to be students.
like	enjoy	I used to like horror movies.
watch	view	We used to watch that show.
work	have a job	She used to work nights.

Time Expression	Example Sentence
when I was a child	I used to ride a bike when I was a child.
in my twenties	She used to travel a lot in her twenties.
a few years ago	We used to meet every week a few years ago.
before I moved	I used to cook more before I moved here.
in the past	They used to be much stricter in the past.
when I was younger	I used to stay up late when I was younger.
at school	We used to play football at school.
last year	He used to work here last year.

Important Notes

✓ No -s ending: "used to" never changes: I used to, he used to, they used to

✓ Negative form: "didn't use to" (NOT "didn't used to")

✓ Question form: "Did you use to...?" (NOT "Did you used to...?")

✓ Used to shows contrast between past and present

✓ For single past events, use Simple Past, not "used to"

Quick Practice

Complete with 'used to' or 'use to':

1. I __________ play basketball every day.

2. She __________ live in Paris.

3. They didn't __________ like each other.

4. Did you __________ have a dog?

💡 💡 Check your answers

1. I used to play basketball every day.

2. She used to live in Paris.

3. They didn't use to like each other.

4. Did you use to have a dog?

Comparing Past and Present

'Used to' is perfect for showing how things have changed from the past to the present.

Past vs Present Examples

Past (Used To)	Present (Now)	What Changed
I used to live in a small town.	Now I live in a big city.	location changed
She used to have long hair.	Now she has short hair.	appearance changed
We used to play outside every day.	Now we work in offices.	activities changed
He used to be afraid of dogs.	Now he loves dogs.	feelings changed

How to Show Change

Contrast with "but now"

✓ "I used to live in a small town, but now I live in a big city."

✓ "She used to hate coffee, but now she drinks it every day."

✓ "We used to walk to school, but now we drive."

Contrast with Present Simple

✓ "I used to play football. Now I play tennis."

✓ "He used to work in a bank. Now he's a teacher."

✓ "They used to be students. Now they have jobs."

Common Life Changes

Physical Changes

✓ "I used to have long hair."

✓ "He used to wear glasses."

✓ "She used to be much shorter."

✓ "I used to weigh more."

Lifestyle Changes

✓ "I used to smoke."

✓ "We used to eat out every day."

✓ "He used to stay up late."

✓ "They used to travel a lot."

Want to try a Used To quiz?

Practice with multiple choice questions

Used To in Daily Life

See how 'used to' is used in different real-life situations and conversations.

Childhood & School Days

School routines

"I used to walk to school every day."

"We used to have lunch at 12 o'clock."

Childhood activities

"I used to play in the park after school."

"We used to watch cartoons on Saturday mornings."

"When I was a child, I used to collect stamps, and I used to spend hours looking at them. Now I collect coins instead."

Work & Career Changes

Old jobs

"I used to work in a restaurant."

"She used to be a waitress."

Work habits

"I used to work late every night."

"We used to have meetings every Monday."

"I used to work as a teacher, but now I work in an office. I used to love teaching, but I enjoy my new job too."

Lifestyle & Habits

Old Habits

"I used to drink coffee all day."

"He used to smoke cigarettes."

"We used to eat fast food every day."

Preferences

"I used to prefer action movies."

"She used to hate vegetables."

"They used to love camping."

"I used to hate exercise, but now I go to the gym three times a week. I also used to eat a lot of junk food, but now I cook healthy meals at home."

Ready to test your Used To knowledge?

Challenge yourself with fill-in-the-blank exercises

Common Mistakes

❌ I used to played football.

✓ I used to play football.

After 'used to', use the base form of the verb (infinitive without 'to')

❌ He used to lives here.

✓ He used to live here.

No -s ending with 'used to' - always base form

❌ I didn't used to like it.

✓ I didn't use to like it.

Negative form: didn't + use to (NOT used to)

❌ Did you used to go there?

✓ Did you use to go there?

Question form: Did + subject + use to (NOT used to)

❌ I used to go there yesterday.

✓ I went there yesterday.

For single past events, use Simple Past, not 'used to'

❌ She uses to work here.

✓ She used to work here.

Always 'used to' for past habits (NOT uses to)

Master Used To sentence building!

Drag and drop words to form correct sentences

Practicing with Used To

Learn effective strategies for mastering 'used to' to talk about past habits and changes.

Learning Strategies

Think about your own life

✓ What habits did you have as a child?

✓ Where did you use to live?

✓ What did you use to do in your free time?

✓ What did you use to like/dislike?

Create contrast sentences

✓ I used to [past habit], but now I [present habit]

✓ She used to [past state], but now she [present state]

✓ We used to [old routine], but now we [new routine]

Practice Techniques

Ask and answer questions

✓ Practice with a partner: "Did you use to...?"

✓ Ask about childhood, old jobs, past hobbies

✓ Use both affirmative and negative answers

✓ Follow up with: "What about now?"

Write about changes

✓ Write 5 sentences about how your life has changed

✓ Compare your past and present self

✓ Describe old habits you've stopped

✓ Talk about new habits you've started

Practice Exercise

Complete the sentences with the correct form:

1. I __________ (play) the piano when I was younger.

2. She __________ (not/like) coffee, but now she loves it.

3. __________ you __________ (have) a pet when you were a child?

4. We __________ (go) to the same school.

5. He __________ (work) in a factory before he became a teacher.

💡 💡 Check your answers

1. I used to play the piano when I was younger.

2. She didn't use to like coffee, but now she loves it.

3. Did you use to have a pet when you were a child?

4. We used to go to the same school.

5. He used to work in a factory before he became a teacher.

Practice Tips

Remember: used to + base verb for all subjects (I, you, he, she, it, we, they)

Negative: didn't use to (NOT didn't used to) | Question: Did... use to? (NOT Did... used to?)

Use 'used to' for repeated actions and past states, not single events

Practice with time expressions: when I was young, a few years ago, in my twenties

Always show the contrast between past and present

Speaking Practice

To practice your pronunciation, listen to the native speaker audio first. Then 'Record' yourself repeating what you heard, then use the 'Playback' button to compare your pronunciation with the native speaker. If you want to record yourself again, simply click 'Delete'!

I used to play football when I was young.

She used to live in London.

We used to go to the beach every summer.

He used to have long hair.

They used to be neighbors.

I didn't use to like vegetables.

Did you use to watch cartoons as a child?

She used to work in a bank.

Your exercises are loading!

Continue Your Learning Journey

Keep building your English skills with these carefully selected next steps

Help Other People Just Like You Improve Their English!

Share Free Daily English With Them Today!