USED TO / WOULD

USED TO

AFFIRMATIVE
NEGATIVE
INTERROGATIVE

I used to go.
You used to go.
He / She / It used to go.
We used to go.
You used to go.
They used to go
I didn’t use to go.
You didn’t use to go.
He / She / It didn`t use to go.
We didn`t use to go.
You didn’t use to go.
They didn’t use to go.

Did I use to go?
Did you use to go?
Did he / she / it use to go?
Did we use to go?
Did you use to go?
Did they use to go.?

SHORT ANSWER

AFFIRMATIVE
Yes, I / you / he / she / it / we / you / they did.

NEGATIVE
No, I / you / he / she / it / we / you / they didn’t


USAGE AND EXAMPLES
• Used to is found in sentences describing a past habit, or situation that is no longer true: it can be used for both actions and situations or states. Study these examples:
- I used to be very shy but then 1 met my bestfriends Lisa and Carol.
- My brother goes to the theatre every two weeks but he didn’t use to like it as a teenager.
- What did you use to do when you were in elementary school?
• Would can also be used to describe regular habits or activities of the past and it can often substitute used to. It is normally only used in the affirmative.
- When I was younger I loved walking in the park near home. Every morning, before going to work,
- I would go (used to go)for a stroll with my dog and enjoy the quiet.
USED TO or WOULD
• Remember that would cannot be used to describe stales or situations. See the examples below:
- My brother used to be very touchy as a child. Every time he got a lower mark than me he would stop (or: used to stop) talking to mefor afew days.
- My grandma was a great woman. She didn’t use to be very talkative but she would always give you a hand if you needed help.

PRACTICE

I. Do these sentences refer to past habits / situations that aren’t ưue now (A) or not (B)?
A B
1. I used to get up late on Sundays when I was younger. ( (
2. I got up at 7 last Sunday. ( (
3. Where were you working in the 1980s? ( (
A B
4. My sister didn’t use to wear jeans but now she loves them. ( (
5. My sister wasn`t wearing jeans when she came over. ( (
6. Did you use to be a bright student at school? ( (
7. When it rained we would take out a board game and play all afternoon. ( (
8. I used a lot of flour to make this cake. ( (
9 .What would you like to do? ( (
10 .I often invited them over but they would always say no. ( (

II. Change the underlined verbs in the following sentences using used to.
1. I loved heavy metal when I was in high school.
....................................................................
2. We were friends but I don`t know where he lives now.
....................................................................
3. What subjects did you like when you were in highschool?
....................................................................
4. I didn`t go out very often in the past.
....................................................................
5. There were fewer cars 10 years ago.
....................................................................
6. It wasn`t so warm in October when I was a child.
....................................................................

III. Underline the correct tense in the following sentences.
1. I saw / used to see my brother a lot but then we fell / used to fall out over an inheritance.
2. Emma wouldn’t / didn`t use to write poems but then she met / used to meet Greg and would start / started being romantic.
3. I would hate / used to hate dark chocolate as a child, but I can`t live without it now.
4. Lucy would have / used to have long hair as a teenager.
5. I lived / would live in Rome from 1990 to 2005. I went / used to go to St Peter’s Cathedral every month.
6. Did you use to be / Would you be shy when you were little?

IV