How to form used to: table
Used to is the same for all persons and exists only in the past. Negatives and questions use did, as in the Past Simple, and used loses its -d: didn’t use to, Did you use to…?
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| Positive | I used to play the piano. |
| Negative | I didn’t use to like coffee. |
| Question | Did you use to have long hair? |
| Short answer | Yes, I did. / No, I didn’t. |
When to use used to
Past habits
We used to go to the sea every summer.
He used to smoke, but he gave up.
Past states
There used to be a cinema here.
I used to have a dog.
Don’t use used to to say how many times or for how long: I lived there for 5 years (not used to live … for 5 years), I went there three times.
Used to, be used to or get used to?
Be used to and get used to are followed by a noun or verb-ing (to is a preposition here, see gerund or infinitive). They can be used in any tense.
| Structure | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| used to + V1 | in the past, not now | I used to work at night. |
| be used to + V-ing | be accustomed to | I’m used to working at night. |
| get used to + V-ing | become accustomed to | I’m getting used to working at night. |
I used to drive on the right.
I’m not used to driving on the left.
You’ll soon get used to it.
Used to or would?
For repeated past actions you can also use would: When I was little, my grandma would tell me stories. But with states (be, have, live, like) only used to works: I used to have a cat (not would have).
Common mistakes
What learners of English often say. On the left — the mistake, on the right — the correct version.
Wrong:
I use to play tennis when I was young.Right: I used to play tennis when I was young.
Positive: used with -d.
Wrong:
Did you used to live here?Right: Did you use to live here?
After did: use without -d.
Wrong:
I am used to get up early.Right: I am used to getting up early.
After be used to use -ing.
Wrong:
I used to living in London.Right: I used to live in London. / I’m used to living in London.
Past habit: used to + V1; accustomed: be used to + -ing.
Wrong:
I usually used to go there.Right: I used to go there.
Used to already means regularly.
Check yourself
Quiz: Past tenses
24 questions with an explanation after every answer. Free, no sign-up.
I worked · I was working · I had worked · I had been working