In English we use 'used to' to talk about past habits, repeated actions and states that are now finished.
The table below shows the different forms of used to + infinitive :
Example verb : go | I / You / We / They / He / She / It |
Positive | ... used to go ... |
Negative | ... didn't use to go ... |
Questions | Did ... use to go ...? |
Short answers | Yes, ... did. / No, ... didn't. |
Used to + Infinitive Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Used to + Infinitive :
Negative Examples of Used to + Infinitive :
Question Examples of Used to + Infinitive :
Notes for use of used to + infinitive :
In English we can only use used to to talk about the past! When we want to talk about the present, we use 'usually' + present simple.
eg. PAST: I used to get up early. (but I don't now)
PRESENT: I usually get up early. (I get up early now)
In English we can also make negative sentences with 'never used to'.
eg. She never used to cook before she was married.
In English we can also use would + infinitive to talk about past habits and repeated actions but we don't use this verb with state verbs.
The table below shows the different forms of would + infinitive :
Example verb : play | I / You / We / They / He / She / It |
Positive | ...'d play ... |
Negative | ... wouldn't play ... |
Questions | Would ... play ...? |
Short answers | Yes, ... would. / No, ... wouldn't. |
Would + Infinitive Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Would + Infinitive :
Negative Examples of Would + Infinitive :
Question Examples of Would + Infinitive :
Notes for use of would + infinitive :
In English we don't use 'used to + infinitive' or 'would + infinitive' for something that only happened once.
In English we often start describing past habits with used to and continue with would + infinitive.
Used to / would (past habit) example sentences | |
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Actually, one of my sisters used to live in London. | |
Yeah, I used to manage a cafe in Australia. | |
Ermm, one of my friends used to get the rice for me. |