English — used to

Use “used to” + base verb to talk about a past habit or a state that is no longer true.

How it works

✓ Rule

“used to” + base verb marks a past habit or state that is no longer true: I used to smoke; There used to be a cinema here. The negative and question use did: I didn't use to…, Did you use to…?

Examples

Affirmative, negative and question forms
Form	Example
affirmative	I used to play tennis.
negative	I didn't use to like coffee.
question	Did you use to live here?

Good to know

⚠ Note

Don't confuse it with be used to + -ing (= be accustomed to: I'm used to getting up early) and get used to + -ing (= become accustomed).

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