Sentences with the used to construction. The phrase "Used to" in English and cases of its use. "Used to" and its Cases of Use. Special questions c used to

Construction “ used to” is used to describe actions (habits) that occurred regularly in past, but no longer occurs:

Constructing sentences with the "used to" construction

Statement

IN affirmative sentences to the design used to is added infinitive of the semantic verb, denoting a regular action about which we're talking about:

She used to read a lot.

She read a lot.

Negation

Negation is formed using auxiliary verb did and particles not:

She didn't use to read a lot.

She didn't read much.

Question

The question is formed using an auxiliary verb did, which is placed at the beginning of the sentence:

Did she use to read a lot?

Did she read a lot?

The “used to” construction is used to describe actions (habits) that occurred regularly in past, but they don't happen anymore. For example, I used to play computer games but now I don"t have enough time for it. - I used to play computer games computer games, but I don't have enough time for that right now. IN in this example it is implied that the person used to regularly play computer games, and due to the fact that the action was regular in the past, the “used to” construction is used. Listen to another example: Tom used to go in for football but now he goes in for tennis. - Tom used to play football, but now he plays tennis. In this example, the activities (playing football) were also regular.

Let's talk about the rules for constructing affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences with used construction to.

• In affirmative sentences, the infinitive of a semantic verb is added to the used to construction, denoting the regular action in question. For example, She used to read a lot - She read a lot.


• Negation is formed using the auxiliary verb did and the particle not: She didn’t use to read a lot - She didn’t read a lot


• The question is formed using the auxiliary verb did, which is placed at the beginning of the sentence: Did she use to read a lot - Did she read a lot?

These three constructions often cause difficulties, especially for inexperienced users of English. Used to used to talk about habits. Wherein used to + inf. refers exclusively to the past tense, and get used to + noun/-ing or be used to + noun/-ing can be used at any time. To understand in what situations it is necessary to use each of the structures, let's consider them in more detail.

Used to + Inf.

Used to + Inf. used only for the past time and for those repeated actions, states and habits that are no longer relevant now.

• She used to be overweight, but now she’s slim.- She used to have excess weight, but now she has lost weight.
• We used to live in Canada, but now we live in the US.– We used to live in Canada, but now we live in the States.

Design used to + inf. can be replaced with regular Past Simple with the same meaning. This construction can be used to emphasize the past, but in general it has the same meaning as Past Simple.

• She used to work a lot before she had a child. = She worked a lot before she had a child. — She worked a lot before she had her baby.
• I used to work overtime before I left that job. = I worked overtime before I left that job. — I worked overtime until I quit that job.

design used to + inf. cannot be used for one-time actions that occurred at a specific point in time in the past, in such cases you should only use Past Simple.

• I used to see him only once. – I saw him only once.— I saw him only once
• I used to go to Egypt last year. – I went to Egypt last year.— I went to Egypt last year.

Get used to / Be used to + noun/-ing

These two constructions are very similar, they are both used to talk about what we are used to at the time of conversation, but there is still a slight difference. Design get used to + noun/-ing applies to the process of habituation, and be used to + noun/-ing- to the result. Both of these designs are used when there is a moment of adaptation to new situation. Usually used to talk about common daily activities. Present Simple.

Be used to + noun/-ing

If we are accustomed to a new situation and want to inform our interlocutor about this, we need to use be used to + noun/-ing. The construction can be used not only in the present tense, but also in the past and future.

• I’ve lived in London for three years and I’m used to bad weather.– I have lived in London for three years and am used to bad weather.
• When I met Alan I was used to living alone and I didn’t want any flat mates.– When I met Alan, I was used to living on my own and didn’t want any flatmates.
• I’m new in this town, but in a year I will be used to this place.– I’m new to this city, but in a year I’ll get used to this place.

This design is not used in group times Continuous/Progressive or Perfect. For these times the design is used get used to + noun/-ing.

• I am being used to driving this car.–I’m getting used to driving this car.“I’m getting used to driving this car.”
• I have been used to having lunch at work. –I have got used to having lunch at work.– I’m used to having lunch at work.

Get used to + noun/-ing

If getting used to a new situation required some effort from us, or we want to focus on the process or duration of getting used to, then in these cases it is better to use the construction get used to + noun/-ing. Just like the previous one, this construction can also be applied to the present, past and future tense.

• When I moved from my parents, first time I felt lonely. But now I got used to living alone.– When I moved away from my parents, at first I felt lonely. But now I'm used to living alone.
• I don’t like Chinese food, but I’ll get used to it when I move to China.– I don’t like Chinese food, but I’ll get used to it when I move to China.
• I didn’t like our new colleague from the first sight, and I’m still getting used to him.- I did not like new colleague at first sight, and I'm still getting used to it.

Important! After used to Only infinitive is used. After be/get used to used either gerund(verb ending -ing), or noun(noun).

And now short test. Read the following example and if you understand everything, then you have probably learned the rules for using all used to constructions.

Before I got a child I used to sleep until 9 a.m. Firstly, I wasn’t used to getting up at 6 a.m., but now I’m getting used to it.

The path of the English language throughout history has always been thorny.

Since the reign British Empire it has become widespread and accessible for development ordinary people in many countries.

Now English has its own structured learning system, like any other language of civilized countries. And always, along with the rules, there are exceptions that give the language a certain flexibility.

One of these exceptions will be discussed now.

The phrase “Used to” as a verb (Verb)

This turn indicates something that happened regularly in the past, but is not happening now. For example, these could be certain habits, conditions, or repeated routine actions:

• I used to train every day when I was in the team – I trained every day when I was on the team. (I had a habit)
• She used to live in Manchester – She lived before in Manchester. (state)
• Every day she used to say him, “Good morning, my dear” - Every day she told him: “ Good morning, Expensive ". (routine action)

The phrase “Used to” as an adjective

In its own way, used to can act as an adjective and is literally translated as “accustomed to”:

• His neighbors made noise every weekend. But he’s used to it – His neighbors made noise every weekend. But he got used to it.
• They lived nightlife and are used to it – They lived nightlife and got used to it.

The phrase “Used to” in negative and interrogative forms

I would like to say that when composing such forms, English speakers often use the simple past simple, without the phrase “used to”. But at the same time, sometimes sentences with this turn of phrase slip through.

The negative form (Negative) is formed in 2 ways:

1. Using the auxiliary verb did and the particle not:

didn’t + use to + infinitive

• He didn’t use to like me, but then he changed his mind - He didn’t like me, but then he changed his mind
• I’m surprised that they joined the hockey club. I remembered they didn’t use to like hockey – I’m surprised that they joined the hockey club. I remember they didn't like hockey.

In most cases, we can use never instead of didn't:

• He didn't use to work so much
• He never used to work so much

2. With the verb to be and the particle not:

to be + not + used to

• He’s not used to the new order - He is not used to the new order.
• I’m not used to her - I’m not used to her.

Question form.

Did + subject + use to + infinitive … ?

• Did you use to travel a lot before you get this job? – (did you have the habit of traveling?)
• Did you use to spend hours in front of the mirror when you were young?

Also, “used to” can always be combined with special questions:

• Where did he use to spend time at nights? – Where is he used to spending time at night?
• What did you use to relax when you were a teenager? – How did you usually relax when you were a teenager?

"Used to" and "would"

In some cases we can replace used to the verb would, if we are talking exclusively about habits:

• I used to get up early when I’ve worked in the police
• I would get up early when I’ve worked in the police

"Get used to"

A similar phrase shows the process of getting used to something and can be used at any time:

• We got used to live here yet – We are already used to living here
• Well I am getting used to tropical climate – Well, I’m already getting used to the tropical climate
• I think that I will get used to new homeland – I think I’ll get used to the new home

"Be used to + gerund"

Unlike the phrase “used to + verb,” which indicated habits that were acquired in the past and remained there, this phrase indicates habits that were acquired in the past and are in effect now:

• I'm used to working at night. (I'm used to working at night)
• I used to work at night. (I used to work at night, but now I don't work)

In conclusion, I would like to mention one nuance. Sometimes people seem to say "use to" instead of "used to". This is all due to the fact that when used to is said, the last “d” is pronounced like t, and next word“to” begins with the same sound. That's why it sounds like one t. When speaking, we often pronounce words quickly, which is why they stick together.

We also recommend watching this short video tutorial from our buddy James

In this intermediate English lesson we will look at Used to design, which is used in the past tense and has nothing to do with the verb use - use, which in the past tense also has the form used.

USED ​​TO design. Rules of use and exercises

USED ​​TO design. Rules

1. describes regular actions or conditions in the past and is translated “ once upon a time it happened before.”
2. Design Used to used only in the past tense (Past Simple Tense), after it the infinitive of the verb with the particle to is used.
3. This construction is used when the speaker wants to show that the action is an infinitive in present tense this action no longer happens.

EXAMPLE: I used to go swimming a lot. - I earlier swam a lot (but not now).

Design used to used with any verb, unlike the word would which is also used in similar cases. Explore more Used to VS Would SOON

Negative and interrogative sentences with design usedto are constructed in the same way as in the Past Simple Tense.

• I used to get up at seven but now I get up later. – I used to get up at 7 o’clock, but now I get up later.
• He didn't use to wake up so early. “He never woke up so early before.”
• What time did you use to wake up when you worked in a hospital? – What time did you wake up when you worked in the hospital?

Construction Exercises Used to

Exercise 1.Rewrite the sentences using the Used to construction.

SAMPLE He played toy cars when he was a boy. = He used to play toy cars when he was a boy.

1. Not studied French. = …………………………………….. French.
2. He was proud of his team.= …………………………………….. proud of his team.
3. Peter had more pocket money. = …………………………………….. more pocket money.
4. They called him names. = ………………………………………. him names.
5. When Grandpa was a student, he did sports. = ……………………………………….. when he was a student.
6. She went to the disco every Sunday. = ……………………………………………………… to the disco every Sunday.
7. They were lucky. = ………………………………………………………………. lucky.
8. He discussed with his classmates. = …………………………………………………….. with his classmates.
9. Mary went shopping on Friday. = …………………………………………………….. shopping on Friday.
10. She had a short holiday in spring.= …………………………………………… a short holiday in spring.

Exercise 2.Make up sentences using the construction used to according to the table.

SAMPLE Mr Smith used to live in a small house but now he lives in a mansion. –

Mr. Smith once lived in a small house, but now he lives in a mansion.

Before	Now
1. Mr Smith lived in a small house.	He lives in a mansion.
2. Mr Smith worked as a clerk.	He doesn’t work at all.
3. He didn’t go on holiday.	He travels every year.
4. He had an old car.	He has a brand-new sports car.
5. He spent all evenings at home.	He goes out every evening.

Exercise 3.Write a few sentences about what you did when you were a child.

SAMPLE In summer I used to go fishing with my dad.

Exercise 4.Ask 5 questions using used to construction.

SAMPLE (where/ live?) – Where did you use to live when were you a child?

1. (where/play?)
2. (who/ play with?)
3. (play toy cars?
4. (play darts?)
5. (what/collect?)

Exercise 5.Translate to English.

1. Sometimes he allowed us to invite friends (to invite our friends).
2. Sometimes she had problems at school.
3. Sometimes they discussed their problems.
4. We used to travel by train.
5. Sometimes they lost.
6. I used to get angry with him.
7. Sometimes they sang English songs.
8. I used to see him at school every day.
9. Sometimes our lessons started at 7.30.
10. Sometimes they watched videos in class.

Read more on this topic:

• Used to VS Similar designs Be Used to, Get Used to SOON
  
• Used to VS Would. Rules and exercises (advanced) COMING SOON
  

Here you can take a lesson on the topic: Turnover "Used to" in English language and cases of its use. "Used to" and its Cases of Use.

Along with the Simple Past Tense, there are some phrases in English that also convey actions in the past. The most used and famous of them is turnover Used to. With the help of this turnover you can express almost all the same actions as in the Past Simple. The phrase used to is often used, and not only in colloquial, but also in literary speech.

The main function of the used to phrase is the expression of actions or events repeated in the past that were familiar then, but do not occur in the present. For example:

I used to collect stamps but I don"t any more. - I used to collect stamps / had the habit of collecting stamps, but I don’t do it anymore.

I. The phrase used to has its own characteristics of use and meaning.

1. First, let's get acquainted with shape turnover used to affirmative, negative and interrogative situations.

(+)
I used to - I had a habit
you used to - you had a habit / You had a habit
he used to - he had a habit
she - used to - she had a habit
it used to - he/she had/had a habit (inanimate)
we used to - we had a habit
they used to - they had a habit

(-)
I didn't use to - I didn't have the habit
you din"t use to - you didn’t have the habit / You didn’t have the habit
he didn't use to - he didn't have the habit
she didn't use to - she didn't have the habit
it didn't use to - he/she didn't/had the habit (inanimate)
we didn't use to - we didn't have the habit
they didn't use to - they didn't have the habit

(?)
Did I use to..? - Did I have a habit...?
Did you use to..? - Did you have the habit / Did you have the habit of..?
Did he use to..? - Did he have the habit of...?
Did she use to..? - Did she have the habit of...?
Did it use to..? - Did/Did he/she have the habit of..?
Did we use to..? - Did we have the habit...?
Did they use to..? - Did you have the habit of..?

As can be seen from the conjugation, the turnover used to does not change according to faces or numbers, and has no abbreviations. Negative and interrogative form are formed using the auxiliary verb did, which takes on the role of the past tense. For this reason, the phrase used to loses its usual ending -ed/d.

The phrase has no form of present and future tense. Particular attention should be paid phonetic side turnover. Since the voiced and voiceless consonant d and t stand together, the sounds merge - /"ju:ztə/.

2. In sentences after turnover used to, as a rule, the usual infinitives follow:

(+) He used to play tennis there. - He used to play tennis there./ He used to play tennis there.
(-) We didn't use to attend the company meetings. - We were not in the habit of attending company meetings. / We had not attended company meetings before.
(?) Did they use to wake up early? -Did they have the habit of waking up early?/Did they wake up early before?

However, there are cases when used to is followed by nouns or gerunds. For example:

There used to be a school there. - There used to be a school there.
He was used to driving fast. - He was used to driving fast.

II. Concerning values turn used to, then it practically does not differ from the Past Simple tense. Let's look at a few usage cases:

1. First of all, used to describes actions and events that regularly occurred in the past, which later stopped. For example:

When I was a child me and my parents used to go to our country house - When I was a child, my parents and I had the habit of going to our country house.
I used to climb the trees when a child. - I used to climb trees when I was a child.

2. Unlike some other ways of expressing the past tense, turnover used to can express Not only dynamic action in the past, but also the state. For example:

He used to cycle to his work. - He had a habit of getting to work by bicycle. (dynamic action)
People used to think that the earth was flat. - People used to think that the earth was flat. (state)

To express habitual actions in the past, there is also the phrase would + infinitive. However, this phrase cannot describe states in the past, like used to. Let's look at examples:

She would walk to the nearest station every day. - He had the habit of walking every day to the nearest station. (dynamic action)
There used to be an ancient monastery there. - There used to be an ancient monastery here. (state)

3. There are also types of turnover used to, having slightly different forms and meanings. For example, be used to or get used to.

The phrase be used to also means habitual actions, however, due to its flexible form, can be used both in the past and in the present tense. For example:

I was used to typing fast. - I was used to typing quickly. (Past Simple)
He is used to the city life. - He’s used to city ​​life. (Present Simple)

The phrase get used to means “to acquire a habit,” and can be used in the past, present and future time. For example:

She got used to the cold climate. - She is used to the cold climate. (Past Simple)
I"m gradually getting used to it. - I’m gradually getting used to it. (Present Continuous)
They will get used to each other. - They will get used to each other. (Future Simple)

The phrase used to and its variants can often occur in the statements of famous people. For example:

Nothing is wonderful when you get used to it. (Edgar Watson Howe) - Nothing makes you happy when it becomes familiar. (Edgar Watson Howe)
I used to be indecisive, but now I"m not sure. (unknown) - I was indecisive, but now I’m not sure. (author unknown)
Pessimism, when you get used to it, is just as agreeable as optimism. (Arnold Bennett) - Pessimism, when it becomes habitual, is just as acceptable as optimism. (Arnold Bennett)
When I was young, I used to think that wealth and power would bring me happiness. I was right. (Gahan Wilson) - When I was young, I thought that wealth and power would make me happy. I was right. (Guyan Wilson)
The trouble with our times is that the future is not what it used to be. (Paul Valery) - The main problem of our time is that the future no longer looks the same as it looked before. (Paul Valery)

Thus, we examined the phrase used to, its form and meaning in sentences, some features of use, as well as possible synonymous phrases. In order to reinforce the lesson, remember what habits you had in the past that no longer exist now, and try to express them in English using the phrase used to.

This concludes the lessons. You and I have done a great job, if you studied everything diligently, you will have received the minimum knowledge in learning English, the foundation that will be necessary in further study of the language. Now you can continue studying in our other lessons,