IN English language the simple past tense () can be conveyed not only using the corresponding , but also using the construction used to + infinitive form of the verb.
This phrase describes regular actions or individual events that happened in the past, but then stopped. The construction has the same meaning as any other used in the simple past tense. Turnover is used quite often in both colloquial and literary speech.
In the structure of the construction, the verb use loses its main meaning (to use) and is translated by the word “before”. And what happened before is reported by the semantic verb used in the infinitive form.
For example:
- They used to be friends. – They used to be friends (but now they’re not);
- It used to be my house. – This used to be my home (but now it’s not).
Education formula
With turnover used to + Infinitive can be used in affirmative, interrogative and negative forms.
Let us consider in detail the formula for the formation of each of them:
Here are some examples:
- Affirmative form:
He used to play hockey when he was at school. – Before, when he was a schoolboy, he played hockey. - :
He did not use to play hockey when he was at school. – When he was a schoolboy, he didn’t play hockey. - :
Did he use to play hockey when he was at school? – Did he play hockey when he was a schoolboy?
Note: the used to construction cannot be used to convey actions occurring in the present and future tense.
When to use?
There are two main cases in which the use of the used to do + infinitive construction is justified:
Variations of turnover used to
The construction has two varieties that can mislead the English language learner. It's all about the similarity of the three revolutions.
So, in English speech, in addition to the used to phrase, the following are also used:
- to be used to;
- to get used to.
There are several differences between the three designs:
- used to phrase is used only to convey actions occurring in the past tense, and its variations can convey actions occurring both in the present and in the future. It is important that we are talking about those phenomena or events that have become familiar.
For comparison:
He used to play with Olga. – He used to play with Olga (BUT he doesn’t play anymore).
He was used to playing with Olga./He gets used to playing with Olga. – He’s used to playing with Olga (And now he’s playing). - when using the used to construction, put the semantic one. The phrases be used to and get used to require the use of a noun or after them.
For example:
Mike used to fly in London. – Mike used to fly to London (BUT doesn’t fly now).
Mike is used to fly in London. / Mike gets used to flying to London. – Mike is used to flying to London (And now flies).
In addition, the design used to + Infinitive can be replaced by a verb . However, when using this verb, you should pay attention to the fact that the subsequent semantic verb must denote a movement or state.
For example:
He would run a lot. – He used to run a lot.
Let's summarize to consolidate the material studied:
- Revolution used to + Infinitive used to convey actions or individual events that took place in the past, but have ceased;
- The design can be used in the affirmative, negative or interrogative form;
- The phrase used to + Infinitive has two varieties: be used to + ing/get used to + ing, which are used to convey actions occurring in the present and future tense.
In English, to express repeated actions in the past can be used "used to" construction.
Method of education Used To
used to + I form of verb
For example:
I used to go to the beach every day.
Earlier Every day I walked to the beach.
The construction "used to" is undesirable to use in interrogative and negative sentences, but, sometimes, in colloquial English, such use occurs. However, in interrogative and negative sentences, it is better to use Simple Past.
Used To
An action that often happened in the past
"Used to" is used to describe actions that used to happen quite often, but now don't happen at all. When translating into Russian, the words “before”, “before”, etc. are often added.
For example:
Jerry used to study English.
Jerry studied before English.
Sam and Mary used to go to Mexico in the summer.
Sam and Mary we used to go often to Mexico in the summer.
I used to start work at 9 o"clock.
Earlier I started work at 9 o'clock.
Christine used to eat meat, but now she is a vegetarian.
Earlier Christina ate meat, and now she is a vegetarian.
Individual facts or general statements in the past
"Used to" can be used to describe specific facts or general statements that were once true but are no longer true. When translating into Russian, the words “before”, “before”, etc. are also often added.
For example:
I used to live in Paris.
Earlier I lived in Paris.
Sarah used to be fat, but now she is thin.
Earlier Sarah was fat, but now she's thin.
George used to be the best student in class, but now Lena is the best.
Earlier George was the best student in the class, but now Lena is the best.
Oranges used to cost very little in Florida, but now they are quite expensive.
Earlier oranges in Florida cost very cheap, but now they are very expensive.
Used To or Simple Past
Both "used to" and the Simple Past can be used to describe repeated events in the past, individual facts that are no longer true. However, "used to" is preferred when affirmative sentences emphasize the repetition of past actions. However, in interrogative and negative sentences the Simple Past is preferred.
For example:
You used to play the piano.
Earlier You played on the piano.
Did you play the piano when you were young?
You as a child played on the piano?
You did not play the piano when you were young.
As a child you didn't play on the piano.
Interrogative and negative sentences using Used To
As mentioned above, the use of “used to” in interrogative and negative sentences is undesirable. However, sometimes such usage still occurs.
Verb in questions used acts as an ordinary verb, and the question is constructed as an ordinary general question.
For example:
Did you use to watch Mickey Mouse?
Have you watched before? Mickey Mouse?
Did you use to like school?
Did you like to study At school?
Likewise, a negative sentence with a verb used is built in the usual way.
For example:
I didn't use to watch Mickey Mouse.
I I haven't watched it before Mickey Mouse.
The following form is also possible:
I used not to watch Mickey Mouse.
Verb would
Like the construction "used to", verb would can be used to express repeated actions in the past.
In some cases would completely similar to "used to".
For example:
I used to go swimming twice a week. –I would go swimming twice a week.
I I used to go swimming two times a week.
However, in most cases, would, in contrast to “used to,” denotes actions that occurred from time to time, without contrasting it with the present moment. When used this way would used with indicators of the time when an action took place. To Russian would translated with the words “happened”, “before”.
For example:
When I was young, I would visit my grandmother every summer.
As a child I happened to visit grandma every summer.
Would cannot be used to describe states, individual facts or general provisions in the past, but can only be used for repeated actions in the past.
For example:
I would play the piano. ( Wrong)
I used to play the piano. ( Right)
I used to play the piano.
Those who study English often confuse two expressions - I used to do smth And I"m used to smth, - since they are similar in appearance. Moreover, when spoken quickly, it is difficult to notice the difference. Let's look at how these constructions are used and what the difference is between them.
I used to do smth
Let's start with the first expression - I used to do smth- First of all, let us note that this past form expression, but since it is most often used in this form, we will give examples in the past tense:
- I used to take the bus to get to work - I usually went to work by bus
- I used to go for a walk in the park - I often walked in the park
- He used to meet me near the door of my house - He used to meet me at the door of my house.
- People used to send letters to each other – Previously, people sent letters to each other.
Google shortcode
As can be seen from the examples, used to acts as an adverb and is translated as “usually, happened, often, before”, i.e. Using this construction, we want to emphasize that someone used to or liked to perform some action in the past. Used to do smth indicates repeated action in the past , but in the present tense this action is no longer performed.
I’m used to (doing) smth
to be used to – get used to something . Unlike the previous construction, which we translated as an adverb, this one is a predicate in the sentence and can be used in the present and past tense to express both a habitual action (habit) and something that we can put up with, for example, pain, the absence of someone, etc.
- He is used to my whole day absence - He is used to the fact that I am away all day
- Poor boy! He is used to pain – Poor boy! he's used to the pain.
- I was used to having meals three times a day – I’m used to eating three times a day
- I’m used to driving on the left as I’ve lived in Britain for a long time. — I’m used to driving on the left, since I lived in Britain for a long time.
In this construction the verb be can be replaced with a verb get .
The path of the English language throughout history has always been thorny.
Since the reign of the British Empire, it has become widespread and accessible for development. ordinary people in many countries.
Now English has its own structured learning system, like any other language of civilized countries. And always, along with the rules, there are exceptions that give the language a certain flexibility.
One of these exceptions will be discussed now.
The phrase “Used to” as a verb (Verb)
This turn indicates something that happened regularly in the past, but is not happening now. For example, these could be certain habits, conditions, or repeated routine actions:
- I used to train every day when I was in the team – I trained every day when I was on the team. (I had a habit)
- She used to live in Manchester – She lived before in Manchester. (state)
- Every day she used to say him, “Good morning, my dear” - Every day she told him: “ Good morning, Expensive ". (routine action)
The phrase “Used to” as an adjective
In its own way, used to can act as an adjective and is literally translated as “accustomed to”:
- His neighbors made noise every weekend. But he’s used to it – His neighbors made noise every weekend. But he got used to it.
- They lived nightlife and are used to it - They lived the nightlife and got used to it.
The phrase “Used to” in negative and interrogative forms
I would like to say that when composing such forms, English speakers often use the simple past simple, without the phrase “used to”. But at the same time, sometimes sentences with this turn of phrase slip through.
The negative form (Negative) is formed in 2 ways:
1. With auxiliary verb did and particles not:
didn’t + use to + infinitive
- He didn’t use to like me, but then he changed his mind - He didn’t like me, but then he changed his mind
- I’m surprised that they joined the hockey club. I remembered they didn’t use to like hockey – I’m surprised that they joined the hockey club. I remember they didn't like hockey.
In most cases, we can use never instead of didn't:
- He didn't use to work so much
- He never used to work so much
2. With the verb to be and the particle not:
to be + not + used to
- He's not used to the new order - He is not used to new orders.
- I’m not used to her - I’m not used to her.
Question form.
Did + subject + use to + infinitive … ?
- Did you use to travel a lot before you get this job? – (did you have the habit of traveling?)
- Did you use to spend hours in front of the mirror when you were young?
Also, “used to” can always be combined with special questions:
- Where did he use to spend time at nights? – Where is he used to spending time at night?
- What did you use to relax when you were a teenager? – How did you usually relax when you were a teenager?
"Used to" and "would"
In some cases, we can replace used to with the verb would if we are talking exclusively about habits:
- I used to get up early when I’ve worked in the police
- I would get up early when I’ve worked in the police
"Get used to"
A similar phrase shows the process of getting used to something and can be used at any time:
- We got used to live here yet – We are already used to living here
- Well I am getting used to tropical climate – Well, I’m already getting used to the tropical climate
- I think that I will get used to new homeland – I think I’ll get used to the new home
"Be used to + gerund"
Unlike the phrase “used to + verb,” which indicated habits that were acquired in the past and remained there, this phrase indicates habits that were acquired in the past and are in effect now:
- I'm used to working at night. (I'm used to working at night)
- I used to work at night. (I used to work at night, but now I don't work)
In conclusion, I would like to mention one nuance. Sometimes people seem to say "use to" instead of "used to". This is all due to the fact that when used to is said, the last “d” is pronounced like a t, and the next word “to” begins with the same sound. That's why it sounds like one t. When speaking, we often pronounce words quickly, which is why they stick together.
We also recommend watching this short video tutorial from our buddy James
Some constructions of the English language are not always understandable to Russian-speaking students, since many of them are not only unique, but also structurally similar. In particular, sometimes the complexity comes from the phrases used to, be used to, get used to. However, despite their external similarity, they differ from each other. Moreover, if such constructions as to be used to and to get used to have a similar meaning, then the phrase used to has a completely different and distinctive meaning. Therefore, the difference between these structures must be clearly defined, otherwise they correct use in speech will be impossible.
Design features used to
The modal verb used to (and it belongs specifically to modal verbs, since it conveys not an action, but an attitude to a certain situation) is a reflection of a situation in the past. Its main difference from other modals is that it is used exclusively in the past tense, in particular in Past Indefinite. After this construction, only a simple infinitive with the particle to is always used.
The most popular translation of this phrase is “happened in the past,” i.e. the construction is used to show the frequency or regularity of some action performed in the past, but in the present tense is no longer relevant. In sentences with used to you cannot find Present or Past tenses, since it can only be used with Past.
Note: the situation with the use of used to allows the use of another structure – would, which is essentially its equivalent. However there are two important nuances. Firstly, would is typical of formal and business speech and is rarely used in colloquial English. Secondly, using would you cannot convey state, only action.
Here are some examples:
· David used to have a habit of smoking much when he was a student – Previously, when David was a student, he had the habit of smoking a lot (that is, now he does not have such a habit)
· I used to be the best swimmer of all my friends – I used to be the best swimmer of all my friends (i.e. now I’m not)
Interrogative sentences
The question with this construction is formed differently than with most others. modal verbs. The fact is that the auxiliary verb did should appear here, and the rule for constructing an interrogative sentence will be standard: auxiliary verb - subject - our construction. In this case, the ending –ed in modal will naturally disappear:
· Did they use to waste much money? – Did they spend a lot of money before?
negatives
The construction used to in English can also be used in a negative sense. A negation with this structure is formed according to the typical Past tense principle: there must also be an auxiliary verb, i.e. the phrase “used not to” is grammatically incorrect. Here are examples of what such a negative construction looks like:
· I didn’t use to be here in my childhood – I had never been here before as a child
· She didn’t use to spend too much time with her parents – She didn’t spend too much time with her parents before
Design features to be used to
The structure to be used to carries a completely different meaning. It translates as “get used to”, and one important feature, which must be taken into account is that after it only the form of the verb with the ending -ing (to be used to doing) is used. A possible equivalent to this form is to be accustomed to, a form that has the same meaning and is also used with V–ing. This design looks like this:
· Alex is used to sleeping much on weekends – Alex is used to sleeping a lot on weekends
· You will be used to working on holidays – You will get used to working on holidays
The second example shows that this expression can be used not only in the past, but also in the future, and in the present tense.
Questions
In interrogative sentences with this structure, the verb to be in the appropriate form is placed in first place, followed by the subject, and followed by the verb form with the ending –ing and the remaining members of the sentence:
· Is he used to spending much time playing computer games? – Is he used to spending a lot of time playing computer games?
Negative forms
The grammar also allows for the formation of negatives. The rules are standard, all structural parts remain unchanged, only the particle not appears:
· We are not used to eating eastern food – We are not used to eating eastern food.
Design Features to get used to
This is another structure that is also associated with the meaning of habituation. It must also be followed by a verb ending –ing (to get used to doing). The main difference from the previous construction is that this version demonstrates a certain completeness of the action, that is, the speaker emphasizes that he is already accustomed to a certain action or state. This construction is rather necessary in order to directly show the process of adaptation and getting used to a specific phenomenon, mastering something new. The time with this expression can be any:
· The water in that house was terrible; I had to get used to it – The water in that house was terrible, and I had to get used to it.
· I’m getting used to eating fruit or vegetables every day – I’m starting to get used to eating fruits and vegetables every day.
Questions
Since the structure of the construction includes the verb get, in questions this expression should appear as an auxiliary verb, which will be at the very beginning of the sentence:
· Did he get used to working at his new office? – Has he started to get used to working in his new office?
· Will they get used to sleeping under the sky? – Will they get used to sleeping in the open air?
Negative forms
Negations with construction are also possible. Nothing new appears here except the particle not and the corresponding auxiliary verb:
· I didn’t get used to living in my sister’s home – I couldn’t get used to living in my sister’s house
Thus, it can be noted that even such externally similar designs can have different, and sometimes completely different meanings. In order to better navigate these structures, you can try to perform various exercises to distinguish between all these structures. Such training will help you better understand their context and not make mistakes when using them.
