used to

• 4 used to

  4.1

  Past Habits and States

  

  

  used to indicates habits that were done frequently in the past but are no longer done now, or past states.

  Structure: 主语 + used to + 动词原形

  我I 过去常used to 踢play 足球football.

  I used to play football. (I don't anymore now)

  （有）There 过去used to 有be 一家a 电影院cinema 这里here.

  There used to be a cinema here.

  Note used to refers only to the past; for current habits, use the simple present (I play football now).

  4.2

  Negation and Interrogative

  For negation and questions, auxiliary did is required, and used reverts to use:

  • Negation: didn't use to + base verb.
  • Question: Did + subject + use to + base verb ?

  我I （否定）didn't 过去use to 喜欢like 咖啡coffee.

  I didn't use to like coffee.

  （助动词）Did 你you 过去use to 住live 这里here?

  Did you use to live here?

  Note In negatives / questions it is use to (without d): ~~didn't used to~~ ✗ → didn't use to ✓.

  Common Errors

  • ❌ ~~I am used to play football.~~ → Do not mix up these two distinct structures: ✓ I used to play football. (Used to do, but don't now) vs ✓ I am used to playing football. (Accustomed to doing)— Here, to is a preposition followed by -ing; also note get used to (gradually becoming accustomed).
  • ❌ ~~I use to get up early.~~ (meaning current habit) → ✓ I usually get up early. — use to has no present tense form; use usually for current habits.
  • ❌ ~~She used to living in Shanghai.~~ → ✓ She used to live in Shanghai. — used to is followed by the base verb.

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