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Teacher cue
A2 · English Grammar

Used To

I used to live in London. (but not anymore)

past habit no longer true
The idea

Past habits that no longer exist

Used to describes something that happened repeatedly in the past or a state that existed before — but no longer happens or is true now.

Examples

I used to live in London. (I don't now)

She used to play the piano every day. (she doesn't anymore)

The structure

subject + used to + base verb

Always past — no present form.

The forms

Positive, negative and question

Positive

I used to walk to school.
She used to be shy.

Negative

He didn't use to eat vegetables.
We didn't use to have a car.

Question

Did you use to walk to school?
Did she use to live here?

Note: used to (positive) vs use to (after did/didn't)

💡 Important

Used to only lives in the past. There is no present form.

Past habit ✓

I used to walk to school.

Present habit → use present simple

I usually walk to school. ✓
I use to walk to school. ✗

In real sentences

See it in action

They used to be best friends. (they aren't now)
He didn't use to eat vegetables, but now he loves them.
Did you use to walk to school when you were young?
We didn't use to have a car — we went everywhere by bus.
⚠ Watch out

Common mistakes

I use to play football.

I used to play football.

I didn't used to like it.

I didn't use to like it.

I use to go to the gym. (present habit)

I usually go to the gym.

Did she used to live here?

Did she use to live here?

Now it's your turn

Let's
practice.

Say the answer out loud — then tap to check.

Practice 1
tap the blank to reveal

Fill the gap

She(play)the piano every day when she was a child.
He(not / eat)vegetables, but now he loves them.
(do)you use to walk to school when you were young?
They(be)best friends, but they lost touch.
We(not / have)a car — we went everywhere by bus.
Practice 2
tap a sentence to reveal the error

Spot the mistake

When I was young, I used toA playedB football every afternoon withC the boys fromD my street.

Bplayed → play

✓ used to + base verb

I didn't used toA like coffee, butB now I drinkC three cups everyD morning.

AI didn't used to → I didn't use to

✓ after didn't → use to, with no -d

DidA you use toB live in Madrid, orC did you used toD live in Barcelona?

Ddid you used to → did you use to

✓ questions with did also drop the -d

Practice 3
tap to reveal a model answer

Complete the sentence

I used to live in London,
He didn't use to eat vegetables,
Did you use to walk to school?
They used to be best friends,
Speak & write

Your turn

Answer using used to or didn't use to.

What did you use to do as a child that you don't do now?
What didn't you use to like eating that you enjoy now?
Where did you use to live? How is it different from now?
What sport or hobby did you use to practice? Why did you stop?
Recap

Remember this

Positive
used to + base verb
Negative
didn't use to + base verb
Question
Did … use to + base verb?
Present habits
use present simple

Used to (with -d) in positives; use to (no -d) after did/didn't.

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