Grammar: "used to + infinitive"
B1 Lesson 7: Talking About Past Habits & States
Past Habits vs. Past States
Today, we will learn a very useful structure for talking about the past: "used to". We use it to describe past habits (actions) and past states (situations) that are no longer true today. It emphasizes a contrast between the past and the present.
Actions that happened regularly in the past but not anymore.
Example: "I used to play football every day."
Situations or facts that were true for a long time but have now changed.
Example: "This building used to be a cinema."
The Grammar Rule 📖
The Structure: "used to" / "use to"
The structure is always followed by a verb in its infinitive form (the base form, e.g., go, eat, play). Pay close attention to the spelling in negative sentences and questions!
(+) Positive: Subject + used to + infinitive
"I used to live in a small village."
(-) Negative: Subject + didn't + use to + infinitive (Notice: "use" not "used")
"She didn't use to like spicy food."
(?) Question: Did + subject + use to + infinitive? (Notice: "use" not "used")
"Did you use to play near the river?"
Practice Your Grammar 🎯
Exercise: Complete the Sentence
Choose the correct form to complete each sentence.
- I _______ live in a small village, but now I live in Battambang.
→ used to - Did you _______ play near the Sangker River when you were a child?
→ use to (Because the question starts with 'Did'.) - She _______ like durian, but now she loves it.
→ didn't use to - There _______ be a famous cinema on this street, but it closed many years ago.
→ used to - He _______ have a motorbike, but he sold it last year.
→ used to
Your Grammar Mission ⭐
Write About Your Past
Write true sentences about your past using the "used to" structure.
- Write about a food you didn't use to like, but you like now.
(Example: I didn't use to like papaya salad, but now I think it's delicious.) - Write about a hobby or activity you used to do when you were a child.
(Example: I used to play football with my friends after school every day.) - Write about a place in your town. What did it use to be?
(Example: The new coffee shop used to be an old bookstore.)
Key Vocabulary
- Habit Something that you do often and regularly, sometimes without knowing that you are doing it.
- State The particular condition that someone or something is in at a specific time.
- No longer Not any more.
- Contrast An obvious difference between two or more things.
- Infinitive The basic form of a verb, without an ending (e.g., go, eat, be).