used to — past habits
How things used to be
- used to describes a past habit or state that is now over.
- I used to play football. There used to be a shop here.
- It tells us "before, but not now".
Form: used to + base verb
- used to + base verb, the same for every subject.
- She used to live in Paris. We used to walk to school.
- Not used to played — the verb stays in its base form.
Which sentence is correct?
used to + base verb: “I used to play football.”
Translate into English: 我过去常踢足球。
Past habit → used to + base verb: “I used to play football.”
Negatives & questions: didn't use to
- Negative: didn't use to + base verb.
- Question: Did … use to …?
- Careful: here it's use to (no "d") after did.
used to — correct or wrong?
used to + base verb; the negative/question is 'use to' (no d).
Make it negative: I ___ use to like coffee. (didn't / wasn't)
Negative = didn't use to (no “d” on use).
Only the past
- used to is only for the past.
- For a habit you have now, use the present simple.
- I used to swim a lot. → now: I swim sometimes.
Can “used to” describe a habit you have NOW?
No — used to is only for the past. For now, use the present simple.
Common mistakes
- ❌ I am used to play football. → two different patterns: used to play (past habit) vs am used to playing (accustomed to).
- ❌ I use to get up early. (about now) → ✓ I usually get up early. — no present form of used to.
- ❌ She used to living here. → ✓ She used to live here.
Match each sentence to its meaning.
used to + base = past habit; be used to + noun/-ing = accustomed; usually = present habit.
Complete: I ___ use to like coffee, but now I love it.
Negative: didn't use to (no d on use).
- used to + base verb = a past habit or state, now finished.
- Negative / question: didn't use to / Did … use to …? (no "d").
- Only for the past — present habits use the present simple.
Write one sentence about something that was different in the past, using “used to”.
Example: “I used to be afraid of dogs.”