used to
Past habits and states that are no longer true.
The rules
- Past habit, no longer true: "used to play".
- After "did", drop the -d: "Did you use to…?"
- Negative: "didn't use to" (no -d after "didn't").
- Past STATES take "used to" (never "would"): "used to have long hair".
- Past state: "used to be".
- "Would" replaces "used to" only for repeated ACTIONS, not states like owning or being.
Examples
- I used to play tennis every weekend, but I stopped years ago.
- Did you use to live in Berlin?
- There didn't use to be a supermarket here.
- She used to have long hair when she was younger.
- He used to be so shy.
- We used to visit grandma every Sunday.
Quick check
Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1.I _____ play tennis every weekend, but I stopped years ago.
2.Did you _____ live in Berlin?
3.Which sentence is correct?
4.She _____ have long hair when she was younger.
5.In which sentence could "would" replace "used to"?