Notes

A/ We use ‘used to + verb’ to talk about habits that happened in the past but no longer happen in the present time.

Examples
  1. I used to smoke two packets of cigarettes a day, but I stopped two years ago.
  2. Ben used to travel a lot in his job, but now, since his promotion, he doesn’t.
  3. I used to drive to work, but now I take the bus.

B/ We also use it for something that was true but no longer is.

Examples:
  1. There used to be a cinema in the town, but now there isn’t.
  2. She used to have really long hair, but she has had it all cut off.
  3. I didn’t use to like him but now I do.

NB

Past situation/event Present situation/event
Affirmative/positive
(subject + used to + verb)		Negative
(subject + don’t/doesn’t) + verb)
Negative
(subject + didn’t use to +verb)		Affirmative/Positive
(subject + verb)

Used to + verb: exercises

1) Rewrite the following sentences using “used to”

  1. My mother cooks on Sundays.
  2. I don’t play football.
  3. They usually wear formal clothes.
  4. She isn’t a nurse.
  5. It is not easy for her to speak to strangers.
  6. I can´t stand so much tea.
  7. We often go to the cinema on Sundays.
  8. She trains on Saturday.
  9. I don´t like to wear a uniform.
  10. It is easy for me to swim long distances.

2) Complete the sentences in the table by giving the past/present equivalents

(The first two ones are done for you)

Past Present
1. We used to read a lot of books at school.
2. We used to speak in public.
3. They used to wear contact lenses.
4. He ……………………………………………….. at night.
5. They used to live in a flat.
6. I ………………………………. early in the morning.
7. She used to eat hamburgers.
8. George Bush …………………. the president of the U.S.A.
9. The children used to go to the circus.
10. Liza …………………………. a lot.		1. We don’t read many books at school.
2. We don’t speak in public.
3. They …………………………….. contact lenses.
4. He doesn’t work at night.
5. They …………………………. in a flat.
6. I used to get up early in the morning.
7. She …………………………. hamburgers.
8. George Bush used to be the president of the U.S.A.
9. The children ……………………. to the circus.
10. Liza used to travel a lot.

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