Speaking: Grammar in Speaking B1 - Lesson 3: Using "used to" for Past Habits

Speaking: Grammar in Speaking B1

Using "used to" for Past Habits

Listen to the examples here.

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use "used to" to talk about past habits and states that are different now, and pronounce it naturally.

Talking About Then vs. Now ⏳

We use the special phrase "used to" to talk about a past habit or situation that is finished and no longer true today. It creates a clear contrast between the past and the present.

THEN (In the Past)

I used to have very long hair.

NOW (In the Present)

But now my hair is short.

THEN (In the Past)

I didn't use to like coffee.

NOW (In the Present)

But now I love it.

Pronunciation & Grammar Rules

🗣️ Pronunciation Focus: The Sound of "Used To"

For fluent speech, we don't pronounce "used to" as two separate words. The whole phrase sounds like one word: "yoos-tuh" (/juːstə/).

• The 'd' in "used" links with the 't' in "to".
• The 'o' in "to" becomes a weak schwa sound (/ə/).

Listen and repeat these sentences:

• I used to live in the countryside.
• She used to be very shy.

💡 Grammar: Negatives & Questions

To make negatives and questions, we use the helping verb "did". This changes the main verb.

The Golden Rule: After "did" or "didn't", we use the base form use to (without the 'd').

Negative Statements

• I didn't use to like vegetables. (NOT "didn't used to")
• They didn't use to travel much.

Questions

• Did you use to live in Phnom Penh? (NOT "Did you used to")
• Short Answer: Yes, I did. / No, I didn't.
• Where did she use to work?

Practice "Used To" 🎯

Activity 1: Fix the Common Mistakes (Self-Check)

Find the error in each sentence. Think about the correction, then click "Show Correction".

1. I used to playing football.
   Show Correction

   I used to play football.
2. She didn't used to be so confident.
   Show Correction

   She didn't use to be so confident.
3. Did he used to work here?
   Show Correction

   Did he use to work here?

Activity 2: Then and Now

Talk about how you have changed. Make sentences about your past using "used to" or "didn't use to" and about your present using "but now...". Say your sentences out loud.

Example: "I used to have long hair, but now I have short hair."

Ideas: live in a different place? / like different music? / be shy? / play a sport?

Key Vocabulary

• Past Habit | ទម្លាប់ពីអតីតកាល
  An activity that was true for a time in the past, but is not true now.
• State | ស្ថានភាព
  A condition or situation that existed in the past (e.g., "I used to be shy").
• used to | ធ្លាប់
  A phrase for talking about past habits and states that have changed. Pronounced /juːstə/ ("yoos-tuh").
• Base Form | ទម្រង់ដើម (កិរិយាស័ព្ទ)
  The simplest form of a verb, without 's', 'ed', or 'ing' (e.g., play, work, be).

Your Grammar Mission ⭐

This week, your mission is to talk about how things have changed.

Think of one thing about your life that is different now than it was five years ago. Tell a friend about it using "used to" or "didn't use to".

Example: "I didn't use to drink coffee, but now I drink it every day!"