Used to
01 · Quick explanation
Use used to for past habits or states that are no longer true: I used to play the piano, but I don't anymore.
02 · Full explanation
Used to + base verb describes repeated past actions or past states that have changed. It always refers to the past and contrasts with the present. Form: subject + used to + base verb. Negative: didn't use to + base verb (note: no -d in the negative). Question: Did + subject + use to + base verb? It is not used for single past actions — use Past Simple instead: I used to visit Paris every summer (repeated), but I visited Paris last June (one time).
03 · Formula
04 · Affirmative
+ S + used to + V
- I used to live in Shymkent.
- She used to be afraid of dogs.
05 · Negative
− S + didn't + use to + V
- He didn't use to like vegetables.
- They didn't use to have a car.
06 · Question
? Did + S + use to + V?
- Did you use to play any sports?
- Did she use to wear glasses?
07 · Examples
ENI used to play the piano when I was young.
KZМен жас кезімде пианинода ойнайтынмын.
RUЯ раньше играл на пианино в детстве.
ENShe used to live in a small village.
KZОл бұрын кішкентай ауылда тұратын.
RUОна раньше жила в маленькой деревне.
ENWe used to go to the seaside every summer.
KZБіз әр жазда теңіз жағалауына баратынбыз.
RUМы раньше каждое лето ездили на море.
ENHe didn't use to eat vegetables, but now he loves them.
KZОл бұрын көкөніс жемейтін, бірақ қазір оны жақсы көреді.
RUОн раньше не ел овощи, но теперь он их любит.
ENDid you use to have long hair?
KZСенің бұрын ұзын шашың болды ма?
RUУ тебя раньше были длинные волосы?
ENThere used to be a park here, but now there's a mall.
KZМұнда бұрын парк болатын, ал қазір сауда орталығы бар.
RUЗдесь раньше был парк, а теперь торговый центр.
ENMy grandfather used to tell us stories every night.
KZАтам бізге әр түні ертегі айтып беретін.
RUМой дедушка раньше рассказывал нам истории каждый вечер.
ENThey used to be best friends at school.
KZОлар мектепте ең жақын дос болатын.
RUОни раньше были лучшими друзьями в школе.
ENShe didn't use to wear glasses when she was a child.
KZОл бала кезінде көзілдірік тақпайтын.
RUВ детстве она не носила очки.
ENDid people use to travel by horse a hundred years ago?
KZЖүз жыл бұрын адамдар атпен саяхаттайтын ба?
RUСто лет назад люди путешествовали на лошадях?
08 · Signal words
09 · Common mistakes
✗ I use to play football when I was a child.
✓ I used to play football when I was a child.
The affirmative form always has -d: used to.
✗ He didn't used to smoke.
✓ He didn't use to smoke.
After didn't use the base form: use, not used.
✗ Did you used to live here?
✓ Did you use to live here?
Questions with Did also use the base form: use.
10 · Compare with similar grammar
Used to vs Past Simple
Used to is for repeated past habits or states that have changed, and usually contrasts with now. Past Simple is for single, completed past actions.
I used to visit my aunt every weekend. (habit)
I visited my aunt last weekend. (one time)
She used to be shy. (past state, changed)
She felt nervous before the exam. (single occasion)
11 · Interactive exercises
Answer each task and press Check. Type answers in English.
0 / 10 · 0 checked
1. Choose the correct answer:
I ___ play chess with my brother every evening.
2. Choose the correct answer:
She ___ have short hair, but now it's long.
3. Choose the correct answer:
___ you use to live in Astana?
4. Fill in the gap:
He ___ (not / like) coffee when he was a child.
5. Fill in the gap:
There ___ (be) a cinema in our town, but it closed.
6. Fill in the gap:
___ (you / use to) play outside a lot as a kid?
7. Fill in the gap:
We ___ (go) camping every summer when we were young.
8. Fill in the gap:
He ___ (not / have) a beard a few years ago.
9. Correct the sentence:
I use to live in a small town when I was young.
10. Correct the sentence:
Did she used to play the violin?
12 · Mini test
Question 1 / 5
Which sentence is correct?
13 · Practice
Choose a skill to practise this topic.