used to
used to for the past
used to + the verb = something that was true, or happened often, in the past but isn't true now.
- I used to live in Madrid.
- We used to play outside every day.
- Did you use to have long hair?
«Solía vivir aquí» is I used to live here. In questions and with not, there is no d: Did you use to live here? I didn't use to.
After did or didn't, write use to: Did you use to…? I didn't use to… (be used to + -ing is different: I'm used to getting up early = it's normal for me.)
Also on this page: didn't use to · Did you use to…? · would for past habits
Try 6
Six quick questions, easiest first. At the end you'll see which mistake you make.
- My parents ______ argue all the time, but now they are very happy together.used to · were used to · use to · are used to
- We ______ talk much, but now we communicate every day.didn't use to · don't use to · didn't used to · weren't use to
- Where ______ live before you moved here?do you use to · you used to · did you used to · did you use to
- My sister ______ jealous of me, but now we support each other.used to being · was used to be · use to be · used to be
- We used to ______ big family dinners every Friday.have · having · had
- Before my cousin moved out, we ______ share a bedroom.would to · use to · were used to · used to
- Ben and Lola ______ friends, but they fell out and stopped speaking.use to be · were used to be · used to being · used to be
- What ______ do at weekends before you moved out?were you used to · did you used to · you used to · did you use to
- When we were children, we ______ make up quickly after an argument.used to · use to
- I ______ talk to my grandfather much, but now we often chat on the phone.didn't use to · didn't used to · wasn't used to · don't use to
- My parents used to ______ a lot, but things are calmer now.argue · arguing
- When we were children, my cousin ______ be very tall, but now he is average height.used to · was used to · would · use to
Show the answers
- used tonot use to: use to in a sentence without didnot are used to: was used to for the pastnot were used to: was used to for the past
- didn't use tonot don't use to: don't use to, do you use tonot didn't used to: didn't used to, did you used tonot weren't use to: was used to for the past
- did you use tonot you used to: you used to? as a questionnot do you use to: don't use to, do you use tonot did you used to: didn't used to, did you used to
- used to benot use to be: use to in a sentence without didnot used to being: used to + an -ing wordnot was used to be: was used to for the past
- havenot having: used to + an -ing word
- used tonot use to: use to in a sentence without didnot were used to: was used to for the past
- used to benot use to be: use to in a sentence without didnot used to being: used to + an -ing wordnot were used to be: was used to for the past
- did you use tonot you used to: you used to? as a questionnot did you used to: didn't used to, did you used tonot were you used to: was used to for the past
- used tonot use to: use to in a sentence without did
- didn't use tonot don't use to: don't use to, do you use tonot didn't used to: didn't used to, did you used tonot wasn't used to: was used to for the past
- arguenot arguing: used to + an -ing word
- used tonot would: would for be, know or like in the pastnot use to: use to in a sentence without didnot was used to: was used to for the past
Common mistakes on this point
Not: We use to play outside.
Say: We used to play outside.
Without did, write used to: I used to live there.
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: I didn't used to like fish.
Say: I didn't use to like fish.
After did or didn't, write use to (no d): Did you use to…? I didn't use to…
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: Where do you use to live?
Say: Where did you use to live?
used to is only for the past, so questions and not-sentences take did: Did you use to…? I didn't use to…
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: We used to having dinner together.
Say: We used to have dinner together.
used to + the verb: used to have, used to be. (I'm used to having… means it's normal for me.)
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: My sister was used to be shy.
Say: My sister used to be shy.
For past habits and states, just used to, with no was or were. be used to + -ing means it's normal for me.
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: Why you used to walk to school?
Say: Why did you use to walk to school?
A question takes did + use to: Where did you use to live?
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: My cousin would have long hair when we were children.
Say: My cousin used to have long hair when we were children.
would can mean used to for things you did again and again (we would play outside, we would have a picnic), but not for states like be, know, like or live.
See this mistake on its own page ›