My english blog

"USED TO"

Used to is a modal verb indicated to express something that happened in the past on a regular basis.

"Use" is a verb that means to use. However, when we use this verb to indicate and the preposition to is added, its meaning changes. 

Example:

• I used to live in Colombia
• She used to like him 
• You used to cook dinner every weekend

A curious fact is that used to can also be an adjective and means "to be used to something" 

Example:

• They´re used to play after lunch.
• You´re used to stay alone 

An important note is that when the "Used to" in adjective is followed by a verb, it must be a gerund, and have -ing

Example:

• She´s used to living here.
• I´m not used to traveling a lot.
• My parents aren´t used to eat sushi.

Structure of Used to 

1. Affirmative sentences

Subject- used to- verb

Example:

• We used to go to the mall in my birthday
• Kayla used to travel to L.A in vaccations 
• Cameron and I used to like pastas, but now we don´t care for it. 

2. Negative sentences

Subject didn´t- use to- verb

 

In negatives the "d" of used to is removed 

Example:

• You didn´t use to study before exams.
• Food didn´t use to be so expensive
• She didn´t use to do exercise in pandemic.

3. Interrogative sentences

Same as negative, the "d" of used to is removed 

Did- subject- use to- verb...?

Example:

• Didn´t he use to smoke a lot?
• Did you use to watch t.v all night?
• Did they use to go to school everyday?

Note:

Don´t use "used to" for habitual actions in the present. Instead of this, we use usually or nomally.