"Used to" Theory
The phrase "used to" is used to describe:
1. Past habits or routines that no longer happen.
o Example: I used to go to the gym every day, but now I don't have time.
2. Past states (things that were true in the past but are no longer true).
o Example: She used to live in New York, but now she lives in London.
Structure of "Used to":
Affirmative: Subject + used to + base verb
o Example: They used to visit their grandparents every summer.
Negative: Subject + didn't + use to + base verb
o Example: He didn’t use to like coffee.
Interrogative: Did + subject + use to + base verb?
o Example: Did you use to play video games when you were younger?
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of "used to"
1. I ___used to have_______ (have) long hair when I was a child.
2. We ___used to live_______ (live) in a small town before we moved here.
3. He ____did not use to eat______ (not/eat) vegetables when he was young.
4. They ___used to go_______ (go) camping every summer.
5. My parents ____used to speak______ (speak) French before they learned English.
Exercise 2: Correct the mistakes in the sentences using "used to"
1. I didn't used to like vegetables, but now I do.
2. She used to don't like school when she was younger.
3. We didn't use to play football on Sundays.
4. Did you used to watch that TV show when you were a kid?
5. They used to eats a lot of candy when they were young.
Exercise 3: Complete the conversation with "used to"
Conversation:
A: What did you ___use to do_______ (do) after school when you were a kid?
B: I ____used to play______ (play) outside with my friends every day. How about you?
A: I used to go__________ (go) to the library because I loved reading. What about your
sister?
B: She ______did not use to like____ (not/like) reading, but she ____used to play______
(play) sports a lot.
Exercise 4: Write questions using "used to"
1. (you / live / in a big house?)
2. Did you use to live in a big house?
3. (she / travel / a lot before?)
4. Did she use to travel a lot before?
5. (they / eat / fast food often?)
6. Did they use to eat fast food often?
7. (your parents / speak / another language?)
8. Did your parents use to speak another language?
9. (he / play / the guitar?)
10. Did he use to play the guitar?
Answer Key:
Exercise 1:
1. used to have
2. used to live
3. didn’t use to eat
4. used to go
5. used to speak
Exercise 2:
1. didn't used → didn't use
2. used to don't → didn't use to
3. didn't use to is correct.
4. Did you used → Did you use
5. used to eats → used to eat
Exercise 3:
Conversation:
A: What did you use to do after school when you were a kid?
B: I used to play outside with my friends every day. How about you?
A: I used to go to the library because I loved reading. What about your sister?
B: She didn't use to like reading, but she used to play sports a lot.
Exercise 4:
1. Did you use to live in a big house?
2. Did she use to travel a lot before?
3. Did they use to eat fast food often?
4. Did your parents use to speak another language?
5. Did he use to play the guitar?
4o mini
