used to

Used to talks about the past: things you did again and again, or things that were true for a long time, but aren't now. It's the same for every person, and the verb after it is in its base form.

Used to sounds like "yoost to", with an s sound.

Negatives and questions

With did, write use to, without the d.

Used to or past simple

For one action at one time, use the past simple. Used to is for habits and states that went on for a long time.

Only for the past

Used to has no present form. For a habit now, use the present simple, often with usually.

Common mistakes

• × I didn't used to like it. → I didn't use to like it.
• × Did you used to live here? → Did you use to live here?
• × I use to get up at seven. → I usually get up at seven.
• × I used to going there. → I used to go there.