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

Speaking: Grammar in Speaking B1 - Lesson 3

Using "used to" for Past Habits

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.

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Talking About the Past vs. Now

We use the special phrase "used to"² to talk about a past habit¹ or a past situation that is finished and no longer true today. It creates a clear contrast between the past and the present.

Look at these "Then and Now" examples:

• I used to live in a small village. (Implied meaning: ...but now I live in a city like Battambang.)
• She used to have very long hair. (Implied meaning: ...but now her hair is short.)
• I didn't use to like coffee. (Implied meaning: ...but now I like it.)

The structure is: Subject + used to + base verb.

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Key Grammar Terms

1. Past Habit: An activity or state that was true for a period of time in the past, but is not true now: ទម្លាប់ពីអតីតកាល ↩
2. used to: A special phrase for talking about past habits and states that have changed. It always implies "but not anymore": ធ្លាប់ ↩

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record_voice_over Pronunciation Focus: The Sound of "Used To"

This is one of the most important pronunciation points for fluency. In natural speech, we do not pronounce "used to" as two separate words.

• The 'd' in "used" disappears and links to "to".
• The 'o' in "to" becomes a weak schwa sound (/ə/).
• The whole phrase sounds like one word: "yoos-tuh" (/juːstə/).

Listen to the audio guide say these sentences:

• "I yoos-tuh live in the countryside."
• "She yoos-tuh be very shy."

Mastering this sound will make you sound much more natural.

lightbulb Grammar: Negatives & Questions with "use to"

To make negatives and questions, we use the helping verb "did", just like in the normal Past Simple. There is one very important rule.

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

Negative Statements

Subject + didn't + use to + base verb

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

Questions

Did + Subject + use to + base verb?

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

sports_esports Practice "Used To"

Activity 1: Fix the Verb

These sentences have common mistakes. Correct them.

1. I used to playing football. -> I used to play football.
2. She didn't used to be so confident. -> She didn't use to be so confident.
3. Did he used to work here? -> Did he use to work here?

Activity 2: Then and Now

Work with a partner. Talk about how you have changed. Make sentences about your past using "used to" and about your present using "but now...".

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

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

task Your Grammar Mission

This week in Battambang, 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!"