Using « Used to » for Past Habits

Our today’s lesson will be focused on the expression « used to » that refers to past habits and repeated actions in the past.

At the end of this lesson and using the expression « used to »; you will be able to:

• Form affirmative and negative sentences.
• Ask and answer questions.

1 - When do we use the expression « Used to »?

We use « used to » to talk about a past situation that is no longer true.

For example:

• Leila used to go to the gym.

This sentence means that Leila went to the gym many times in the past, but she is not doing that anymore.

2 - The affirmative (positive) form:

The structure of the sentence using the affirmative form of the expression « used to » is the following:

Subject + used to + the infinitive form of the verb (verb without to) + the rest of the sentence.

For example:

• I used to get up early.
• Sami used to watch cartoon movies.

3 - The negative form:

The structure of the sentence using the negative form of the expression « used to » is the following:

Subject + did not / didn’t use to + the infinitive form of the verb (verb without to) + the rest of the sentence.

For example:

• My brother didn’t use to get bad marks.
• I didn’t use to like winter, but now I love it.

4 - The question form:

To ask a question using « used to », follow this structure:

Did + the subject + use to + the infinitive form of the verb (without to) + the rest of the sentence + ?

For example:

• Did we use to eat strawberries this much?
• Did Cinderella use to do all the work by her own?

5 - Answering questions:

To answer the question did + the subject + use to ?

Yes: (the subject) did.
No: (the subject) did not / didn’t.

For example:

• Did our grandmother use to tell us stories before going to bed?
• Yes; she did.

• Did you use to hang out with your friends on weekdays?
• No; I did not.

COMMON MISTAKE!

"Used to" refers to past actions or states that no longer happen. Use "usually" instead to talk about present actions.

❌ Wrong: I use to eat fast food on weekends.
✅ Correct: I usually eat fast food on weekends.

Task 1: Complete the following table

The affirmative form	The negative form	The question form
They used to skip their classes.
	When I was a child; I did not use to like vegetables.
		Did you use to travel a lot?

The correction of Task 1:

The affirmative form	The negative form	The question form
They used to skip their English classes.	They didn’t use to skip their English classes.	Did they use to skip their English classes?
I used to like vegetables when I was a child.	I did not use to like vegetables when I was a child.	Did I use to like vegetables when I was a child?
You used to travel a lot.	You did not use to travel a lot.	Did you use to travel a lot?

Task 2: True or False

Read the following statements and decide if they are true or false. If they are false, correct them.

1. I used to visit my grandparents every weekend.
2. Maria did not used to wear pants at wedding parties.
3. Did Ronaldo used to play for Real Madrid football club? – Yes, he did not.
4. Did you use to get full marks when you were in high school?
5. I didn’t use to like TITANIC movie; but now, it is one of my favorite.

The correction of Task 2:

The question	True	False	The correction
1	✅
2		❌	Maria did not use to wear pants at wedding parties.
3		❌	Did Ronaldo use to play for Real Madrid football club? – Yes, he did.
4	✅
5	✅

Task 3: Write a short paragraph about your past habits and states using "used to" and "did not use to".

The correction of Task 3:

Here is an example of a paragraph about past habits using the different forms of the expression « used to ». Feel free to write your own, using the correct forms. You can always return to the lesson and follow the different structures mentioned before.

When I was a teenager; I didn’t use to understand the value of physical activity, but now I do. To be honest, I used to have a very bad lifestyle: I used to hate vegetables and fruits. I used to enjoy fast food more, but not anymore! I am trying now to follow a healthy lifestyle as much as I can.

Recapitulation of the Lesson

• ROS: Rest of the sentence
• S: Subject

Our today’s lesson has come to an end. I wish you all enjoyed it and see you guys in the next lesson!