In this lesson, we will look at using Used to in English.
There two common meanings of used to
1. Use(d) +infinitive is used to talk about repeated actions/states in the past.
I used to smoke (i.e. I did smoke, now I don’t)
2. To be +used to + noun/verb+ing is used instead of ‘accustomed to’
I am used to working night shifts (i.e. I am accustomed to it)
Use(d) + infinitive
- She used to live in England (she lived in England one time but doesn’t anymore)
- It used to rain a lot more in New Zealand (It doesn’t rain as much anymore)
- Students didn’t use to be so defiant (one time students were less defiant)
Affirmative
Subject | Used | Infinitive | Other |
I/you/he/she/we/they/ | used | to talk | everyday |
Negative
Subject | Didn’t | Used | Infinitive | Other |
I/you/he/she/we /they | didn’t | used | to live | together |
Question
Did | Subject | Used | Infinitive | Other |
Did | I/you/he/she/we/they/ | use | to work | at Spark? |
To be + used to + -ing
- I am used to getting up at 6am now (I am accustomed to it)
- She is not used to working night shifts (she’s not accustomed to it)
- Are you used to driving overseas? (are you accustomed to it?)
Affirmative
Subject | To be | Used to | Noun/-ing | Other |
I | am | used to | living | abroad |
You/We/They | are | used to | living | abroad |
He/She | is | used to | living | abroad |
Negative
Subject | To be | Used to | Noun/-ing | Other |
I | am not | used to | the teacher | yet |
You/We/They | are not | used to | the teacher | yet |
He/She | is not | used to | the teacher | yet |
Question
To be | Used to | Noun/-ing | Other |
Am I/Are you/Are we/Is he/Are they | used to | working | with children? |
Some example sentences using USED TO:
- They used to live in the city, but now they’ve moved to the countryside.
- I used to have a favourite pen, but I lost it a few years ago.
- I always used to walk to school when I was a child.
- I never used to like coffee, but now I can’t start the day without a cup.
Pronunciation
The pronunciation of ‘used to’ above is the same for both meanings, and is pronounced as yoost to or /juːstə/
Now test your skills with the exercise on using used to in English the next page.