Grammar Guide – Used to

Used to – Didn’t use to

We use ‘used to’ and ‘didn’t use to’ to speak about past situations / habits that are different or do not exist now.

Used to

If we want to talk about things that were true in the past that are not true in the present, such as habitual, repeated actions in the past, or past states, we can use “used to + a verb infinitive.” ‘Used to’ is only only used in positive statements (with a positive verb). With this construction, the emphasis is on what was true in the past.

• When I was a boy, I was short. I’m not short now. – When I was a boy I used to be short.
• When my father was young, he was a mechanic. – When my father was young, he used to be a mechanic.
• When I was younger I didn’t like English people. – I used to dislike English people.

‘Used to’ always refers to the past.

Didn’t use to

To talk about things which were not true in the past but are true in the present, we use ‘didn’t use to + verb’. The meaning with this form is that something was not true in the past, but that it is true in the present, so the emphasis is on the present.

• I didn’t use to like dogs when I was a boy. – (Now I like dogs)
• I didn’t use to enjoy working here. – (Now I enjoy working here, or now I don’t work here)
• When I was younger I didn’t use to like English people. – (Now I like English people.

Did …… use to…?

To ask questions about things in the past which we know are not true in the present, we use ‘Did + subject + use to + verb infinitive…?’

• Did you use to play football? (I know you don’t play football now…)
• Did you use to like dogs when you were a boy? (I know you like dogs now…)
• Did you use to work for IBM? (You work for Novartis now, but I don’t know about your past)
• Did you use to enjoy English at school? (You’re not at school now…..)

Note: The forms ‘used to’, ‘didn’t use to’ and ‘(did you) use to?’ always refer to the past

Example Questions:

Try to make a second sentence (or question) which has a similar meaning to the first by using ‘used to’ / ‘didn’t use to’ or ‘use to?’ The correct solutions are at the bottom of the page.

• 1. When I was a child I was very shy. I’m not shy now.
  I ………………….. to be shy.
• 2. (Now you live in Napoli.) Where did you live before you came here?
  Where …………………………?
• 3. When I was a boy, I went to St John’s School. (Now I don’t go to school.)
  I ……………………………. St John’s School.
• 4. Roberta worked in Milano for a long time. (Now she works in Venezia)
  Roberta ……………………………………… Milano.
• 5. Adam didn’t like children before he got married. Now he has 2 children and loves them.
  Adam ………………………….. children.
• 6. When I was younger, politicians were honest people. Now it seems that they are all corrupt.
  (a) Politicians ………………………….. honest than they are today.
  (b) Politicians ………………………….. as corrupt as they are today.

Solutions

• 1. I didn’t use to be shy.
• 2. Where did you use to live?
• 3. I used to go to St John’s School.
• 4. Roberta used to work in Milano.
• 5. Adam didn’t use to like children.
• 6. Politicians…
  (a) Politicians used to be more honest honest than they are today.
  (b) Politicians didn’t use to be as corrupt as they are today.