Instructions
We use used to + verb for talking about states or actions that were true or happened in the past, but are not true or do not happen now.
Can you give me some examples?
Yes, of course.
London’s nothing like it used to be!
She used to go away on really long trips.
OK. So now she doesn’t go away on really long trips?
Exactly. Used to is always for talking about actions or states in the past that are not true now.
The record shop I always used to visit is now a really cool café. (I don’t visit the place now.)
Why can’t you use the past simple?
Well, you can, of course. But we use used to to emphasise that the state or action is not true now or does not happen now.
What about the negative?
We use do in the past + not + the infinitive, use to + verb. The question is formed in a similar way.
He didn’t use to wear nice clothes and recently he’s been looking quite cool.
So what else did you use to go to London for?
That’s quite a long construction – three verbs!
Yes, but used to doesn’t change – it’s always in the past simple.
Always in the past simple? So you can’t use it in the present?
No, it’s a strange verb. We only use it in the past.
I think I used to use it in the present too.
Oh dear. You won’t any more, will you?
No, I didn’t use to know the rules, but now I do.
Worksheets and downloads
Transcript
Discussion
How have you changed, compared to when you were little? What activities did you use to do that you’ve stopped doing now?
Comments
Thanks for the helpful information about I'll try to remember everything
I used to have singing practice every week, and painting on walls with marker. but now i don't
I used to watch cartoons and play toys and I didn't use to play computer games.
So, you don't watch any cartoon now? I still watch Disney Junior or Nickelodeon jr. untill now:)
I also play toys like Lego
When I was a child I used to do rollerblading, but now I did't.
Hi, Stasiia_Ukr
What is rollerblading, anyway?
I used to go swimming lessons when I was young, but I don't anymore. Also, I'd been practicing soccer and rugby (it was a tag rugby), but I finished these days.
I used to paint a lot when i was little. Now I don't do that anymore.
Alana
When I was younger, I used to play tennis. Now I don't play it anymore.
Mathis
When I was younger, I used to play tag with my friends on the playground. We don't do that anymore. -Rob
When I was little I used to do gymnastics, now I do athletics for a couple of years.
- Silke
When I was little, I used to dress me up at home for fun. Now that I've grown up, I don't do it anymore.
- Babette
I haven't change a lot since I was younger, but I used to be a lot from home because of all the activities I did after school. Now I'm a lot more at home.
Theo
I used to read a lot, but now I don't have enough time for that.
-Emilie
When I was 2 years old, I used to have one brother. Now I have 2.
I used to go to school with my bike.
- Luk
When I was younger, I used to bike with my parents and my younger brother very often. Nowadays, I hardly ever bike with them.
-Hanna
When I was younger, I used to swim every friday and I used to play vollybal, now I don't do either of them anymore.
Roos
When I was younger, I used to play football (soccer). I also used to go running, but now i don't. - Matisse
As a kid I used to have a lot of hobbies, but now I only have two hobbies left.
-Finne
When I was little, I used to play a lot with my neighbours in our gardens. Now that we've grown up, we don't see each other much any more.
- Anne-Laure
I used to play a lot of soccer all the time. Now that I've grown up, I don't play it anymore.
Adam
I used to make origami animals when I was younger.
Mateo
When I was a kid, I used to figure skate every week on Sundays. Now I go to the skating rink once in a while.
- Morgane
As a child I used to draw and paint a lot, but now I don't anymore. I also used to go to an academy on wednesdays.
- Jeanne
When I was in primary school, my grandmother used to visit often and we used to go to the toy store where I could choose a toy. Nowadays she no longer visits, because my grandfather has grown old so my grandmother has to stay home to take care of him.
Missei
When I was little, I used to play football as my hobby. Now I only do is sometimes for fun. Michiel
When I was little, I used to play hide and seek. Now I don't play it anymore.
- Maya
When I was young, I used to play a lot of video games, but now I do it less. I also used to eat a lot of candy, but now i don't do it anymore.
When I was younger, I used to hate eating cheese, but now I like it. I also used to play a lot of tennis, but now I play football.
Pauline
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