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High Beginner

GRAMMAR

LESSON 13:

Used To

Goal

I can use used to.

Grammar Point

Read the grammar point with your tutor.

Use used to to talk about regular past actions and states that are no longer true.

  • Add used to before the dictionary form of the verb.

SIMPLE PAST TENSE SENTENCE

USED TO SENTENCE

I played the guitar.

I used to play the guitar.

He studied German.

He used to study German.

They were friendly.

They used to be friendly.

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ex

I used to go to the gym.

ex

It used to be popular.

  • Use use to* with the auxiliary verb do to ask questions about regular past actions and states.

*for questions, used to is also acceptable but not recommended, so please do NOT use it in this lesson

ex

Did you use to go to the gym?

ex

When did it use to be popular?

  • Use short phrases to positively answer yes/no questions about regular past actions and states.

POSITIVE ANSWERS

Yes, I did.

Yes, you did.

Yes, he did.

Yes, she did.

Yes, it did.

Yes, we did.

Yes, they did.

ex

Q: Did you use to go to the gym?
A: Yes, I did.

  • Use short phrases to negatively answer yes/no questions about regular past actions and states too.

NEGATIVE ANSWERS

No, I didn’t.

No, you didn’t.

No, he didn’t.

No, she didn’t.

No, it didn’t.

No, we didn’t.

No, they didn’t.

ex

Q: Did you use to go to the gym every day?
A: No, I didn’t.

  • Use did not use to** to talk about regular actions and states that happen now but did not happen in the past.

**for negative statements, did not used to is also acceptable but not recommended, so please do NOT use it in this lesson

ex

I did not use to go to the gym.

ex

It did not use to be popular.

  • In casual spoken and written English, did not is usually contracted to didn’t. Please try to use contracted forms throughout this lesson.

ex

I didn’t use to go to the gym.

ex

It didn’t use to be popular.

Be careful: You cannot use used to to talk about one specific past action or state. Use the simple past tense instead.

I used to wake up late this morning.

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I woke up late this morning.

Be careful: You also cannot use used to to talk about the total number of times that something happened. Use the simple past tense instead.

I used to wake up late ten times last year.

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I woke up late ten times last year.

Sentence Builder

Build new sentences using the grammar point, the original sentences, and the words in parentheses. The form of some words may need to be changed.
Build new sentences using the grammar point, the original sentences, and the words in parentheses. The form of some words may need to be changed.
ex

I used to play the clarinet.

(study German)
   I used to study German   .
(live in Osaka)
   I used to live in Osaka   .
  • We used to bake cookies together.

(be best friends)
                            .
(go jogging in the park)
                            .
  • Did you use to play soccer?

(he)
                            ?
(they)
                            ?
  • My son didn’t use to read a lot.

(drink soda)
                            .
(draw)
                            .
  • Yes, I did.

(she)
                            .
(it)
                            .
  • I used to watch cartoons every afternoon.

(eat a snack)
                            .
(take a nap)
                            .

Practice

Make sentences using the grammar point, the words, and the picture clues. The form of some words may need to be changed.

ex

Jim / eat meat

Jim used to eat meat.
ex

Jim / eat meat

Jim used to eat meat.
  • I / listen to rock music

  • my grandma / bake a pie / every weekend

  • what kind of games / you / play with your friends

  • we / talk a lot

  • my daughter / take piano lessons

  • you / study / at night

  • it / be cold / in November

  • Chris / go to the gym / every day

  • I / go to bed early

  • where / she / live

Q&A

PART 1
Answer the questions using the grammar point and your own information.
  • When you were a child, what did you use to do with your friends?
  • Did you use to play an instrument? If yes, what?
  • What did you NOT use to eat (ex. green peppers, spicy food)?
  • When you were in high school, what time did you use to go to bed?
  • What hobbies did you use to do?
PART 2
Use the grammar point to ask your tutor some questions. You can use the ideas below or your own ideas.
what kind of music / you / listen to
what time / you / wake up for school
you / play a sport