Used to (Past Habits)
Talk about past habits and situations that are no longer true with used to — and the disappearing “d” in negatives and questions. A2 grammar with 20 questions.
We use used to to talk about habits or situations that were true in the past but are not true now. “Omar used to live in a small town, but now he lives in Kuala Lumpur.”
The structure: used to + base verb
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| Positive | I used to play football every day. |
| Negative | I didn’t use to like coffee. |
| Question | Did you use to live here? |
Important spelling!In positive sentences it is used to (with d). In negatives and questions, after “did,” it becomes use to (no d): “didn’t use to,” “Did you use to…?”
What it means
- Aisha used to be shy. (she was shy before, but not now)
- We used to walk to school. (a past habit that stopped)
- I didn’t use to enjoy reading, but now I love it.
It always refers to the past
There is no present form of “used to.” For present habits, use the present simple with frequency words instead: “I usually wake up early.”
Tutor tip for Arabic speakersThe tricky part is the disappearing “d.” Remember: the helper “did” already shows the past, so the “d” drops from “used” in negatives and questions. Positive = used to; with did = use to.
Common mistakes
- I use to play football. (positive) → I used to play football.
- Did you used to live here? → Did you use to live here?
- I used to playing. → I used to play.
Practise “used to” with the 20 questions below.
Check your understanding
Answer the questions below. You will see instantly if you are right.
1."Omar ___ live in a small town." (positive)
Positive = used to.
2."I ___ play football every day." (positive)
used to + base verb.
3.Negative: "I ___ like coffee."
After did(n't) → use to (no d).
4.Question: "___ you use to live here?"
Did you use to...?
5.Which is correct?
Positive: used to play.
6.Which is correct?
After did → use to.
7.Which is correct?
used to + base verb: play.
8."used to" describes ___.
A past habit that is no longer true.
9."Aisha ___ be shy, but now she is confident."
used to be (positive).
10."We ___ walk to school." (positive past habit)
used to walk.
11."I ___ enjoy reading, but now I love it." (negative)
didn't use to.
12.Is there a present form of "used to"?
It always refers to the past.
13.For a present habit, use:
present simple (I usually...).
14."They ___ live in Egypt." (positive)
used to live.
15.Negative: "He ___ exercise."
didn't use to.
16.Question: "___ she use to work here?"
Did she use to...?
17.Choose correct: "My grandmother ___ tell us stories."
used to tell (positive).
18."I ___ be afraid of English, but not anymore."
used to be.
19.After "didn't", the correct form is:
didn't use to (no d).
20.Choose the full correct sentence:
Did they use to play here?
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