Grammar: USED TO

Used to do



We use used to do to talk about the past. It is not a tense but it is like a tense. It is a special expression. We use the expression used to do for the past only.

Structure of Used to do
The structure is:


+ I used to do.
- I did not use to do.
? Did you use to do?

Used or use?
when there is did in the sentence, we say use to (without d)
when there is no did in the sentence, we say used to (with d)



Use of Used to do
We use the used to do expression to talk about:

an activity that we did regularly in the past (like a habit)
a situation that was true in the past

I used to smoke.



Look at these examples.


She used to work in a shop. Now she works in a bank.
He used to watch a lot of TV. Now he doesn't watch much TV.
They used to be married. Now they are divorced.
There used to be a cinema here. Now there is a supermarket here.
I didn't use to go swimming. Now I go swimming.
Did you use to smoke?