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
I'm going to tell you how I've changed compared to when I was little. When I was a child I used to dream of running a shop of biscuits, toffees, candies and lolly pops etc. and used to get surprised over why the shopkeepers didn't eat the delicious things in the shop themselves, and how they could stop themselves from eat them up? In fact, I didn't use to hate any food and same is the case with me now. I used to have a lot of free time when I was a child while we keep busy for most of the time now. In the childhood, we used to play different types of games whose English names are not known to me, but now we hardly find any time for a walk even. we used to write on wooden plates in the school and now we prefer to type on computer than writing with a pen on a paper. Life has changed a lot. then we used to be care-free but now we are surrounded by worries about our future. I think It's enough for today because recollections from childhood may make us upset. we shouldn't think more about it rather we should concentrate on our present day challenges to prepare ourselves for a bright future. you'll get surprised over what the talk has started about and where I took it. anyway, enjoy the sweet memories from your past. Have a nice time, you all !
I used to eat beans once,until I threw them up ,because I was really sick. Since then I've never tried them again.Also when I was little I didn't use to eat okra,but now I am totally in love with that food. It is strange how much our tastes change as the years pass by.
I used to learn english in a private school in my home country when I was small but now I use my english knowledge here in Sweden. I mean I have advantage with my little english here :)
I used to learn english in a private school in my home country when I was small but now I use my english knowledge here in Sweden. I mean I have advantage with my little english here :)
I didn't use to have a phone when I was a child
I used to play footbal football when I was small, but now i hate it :(
i used to play chess in the past, but stopped since i attended secondary school.
I used to hang out with my all friends every weekend. Now I stop going someone who talk behind someone back . It's makes me frustration.. :D
When I was small, I used think that Sunday was the day which has sun and I believed that ghosts were true .It is so funny. I wish I could comeback to my childhood,it is so peaceful and happy.
Aha ha, gianggiangphi!
You're so ingenuous! I like that!!
I think of nothing better than a childhood, but, you know, you're lucky, so do I!
People have different histories… :|
Hi Elsa, I am not very lucky. I wish I could comeback to my childhood because I want to run away from present. As you know ,my current situation is bad ( I shared on " Bully"- easy reading) But I will be stronger. I won't care about things that my classmates say any more. I have got a scholarship ( I am very happy). I determine to make my dream become true.
best wishes, hope to receive your reply soon
giang
Hi giang, thank you for the reply.
Oh my dear, the comment makes me feel a bit heart-wrenching. Want to run away from current situation??
Well, I think I understand how you feel and I presume that you seem to have a strong sense of responsibility, unlike me!! I think you don't have to be stronger; you just have to take a load off your mind.
However, remember:
"Don't let idiots ruin your day"!!!!
I would say if you let them do, who do you think will suffer most??
It's not you, but your first woman in the world!! You're not alone!!
So try to think about people whoever care about you, not about the selfish people!!
I hope you will develop your great merits! ツ
Good luck!
Elsa
When I was a child, I didn't use to eat beets and cabbage . Now I love it very much. When I was a child I didn't use to sleep, but now i used to like sleep very much. I would love to go back to childhood с:
I used to be shy when I was a little girl. Now, I have recovered from the being-shy disease. If I go straightforward, then - I have overcome my shyness.
Bravo! Clap clap!!! :)
I used to be very shy when I was little. Now, I have recovered from the being-shy disease.
God job ! Nice to meet you all here !
When I was a child i used to play football in my home but now I do not
I didn't use to like chicken, but now chicken is my style. hi hi
haha
When I was a child I used to be a big fan of sport cars but now I don't
When I was a child, I didn't use to eat cheese. Now I love it. I also didn't use to play piano and study languages. I used to play and sleep, nothing else.
When I was a child I used to watch disney movies but now i dont.
when I was chil i used to wear neck lace, but now I do not.
when I was child I used to be quiet but now I love speak.
I used to go the museum but now I don't.
when i was child i used to practice tennis but now i don't
i used to watch dragonball but now i don´t
when I was a child I used to watch cartoons but now i do not and I used to play soccer with my friends every day but now I don't
I used to eat dirt...No really, I'm kidding.
When I was child, I used to live with my granny, my mum used to work in a bank, she didn't used to stay in home. I didn't used to talk with other kids, I dont know why... just, didn't like me. I used to disassemble any electronic device, I was quite curious.
When I was little I used to hate pizza and peppers but now I love it. I used to watch Dennis the menace, cartoons and play hopscotch.
When I was little I used to hate pizza and peppers but now I love it. I used to watch Dennis the menace, cartoons and play hopscotch.
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