📘 Part of the Complete English Course · Intermediate (B1), week 2
We use 'used to + verb' for past habits and situations that have changed. It's great for comparing your life before and after moving to Australia.
The rules
Form
| Example | |
|---|---|
| Positive | I used to work in a bank. |
| Negative | I didn't use to drive. |
| Question | Did you use to live in the city? |
Be used to vs used to
| Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| used to + verb | a past habit | I used to start work at 9. |
| be used to + -ing / noun | familiar with it now | I'm used to starting at 6 now. |
| get used to + -ing / noun | become familiar with | I'm getting used to the accent. |
Remember
- After didn't / did, write 'use to' (no d): Did you use to…?
- Don't use 'used to' for the present: I usually walk (not 'I use to walk').
- 'Used to' sounds like 'yoosta' in fast speech.
Listen and repeat
- In my country, I used to be an engineer.
- We didn't use to have a car.
- Did you use to work weekends?
- I'm finally getting used to the early starts.
Common mistakes
| Not this | Say this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| I used to work in a bank. | Past: used to. | |
| Did you use to…? | After did: use to. | |
| I'm used to working early. | be used to + -ing. |
Check yourself
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Frequently asked questions
When do we use used to in English?
We use 'used to + verb' for past habits and situations that have changed. It's great for comparing your life before and after moving to Australia. After didn't / did, write 'use to' (no d): Did you use to…?
What are common mistakes with used to?
Say 'I used to work in a bank.', not 'I use to work in a bank.' (Past: used to). Say 'Did you use to…?', not 'Did you used to…?' (After did: use to). Say 'I'm used to working early.', not 'I'm used to work early.' (be used to + -ing).
What level is this used to lesson?
It's a Intermediate (B1) lesson, week 2 of the free Complete English Course. It takes about 10 minutes and ends with a quiz.