Grammar: How to Use 'Used to' for Past Habits / Situations + Example Sentence

1. What is 'used to' for past habits in English Grammar?

Form🟰 (used + to + verb)

e.g. used to live, used to like, used to have, etc.

2. Why 'used to' vs Past Simple? - What's the difference?

✔️We use both 'used to' & Past Simple to talk about the past but there's a slight difference between these 2 forms.

✔️Difference 'used to' vs Past Simple:

We use 'used to' to talk about past habits or routines (which we don't do anymore now.)

Let's read a short story using 'used to'

📚She Used to Love Mornings: Story

Lina used to wake up early every day. She used to make a strong coffee and sit by the window before work. She used to enjoy the quiet, when the city was still sleepy.

On her way to work, she used to stop at a small bakery and buy the same croissant. The baker used to greet her by name.

Now, Lina works from home and wakes up later than she used to. She doesn’t walk past the bakery anymore. But sometimes, when she drinks her coffee, she remembers the life she used to have — and it makes her smile.

❓ Comprehension Questions

1. What time did Lina use to wake up?

2. What did she use to do before work?

3. Where did she use to stop on her way to work?

4. How is Lina’s life different now?

5. How does Lina feel when she remembers the past?

🎙️What is one thing you used to do but don’t do anymore?

🗣️ _________________________________________________

1. When to use 'used to' vs Past Simple for past actions

- Example Situation

i. 'used to'

✅ past habits,

✅ repeated past actions

✅ a change from past situation and now

ii. Past Simple

✅ past & completed actions

✅ telling stories

Related Post

🔗 The Past Simple tense: How to Use + Example Sentences

🎙️Tip! Better English Speaking Skills

- Say the sentences out loud. Repeat a few times. Try without looking at the text.

2. How to Form 'used to' to talk about Past Habits/Past Repeat Actions

Form = [Subject + used to + verb]

e.g. study

✔️ (positive)

- I / you / we / they / he / she / it used to study

✔️ (negative) + short form

- I / you / we / they / he / she / it did not /didn't use to study

✔️ (negative) with 'never'

- I / you / we / they / he / she / it never used to study

🎯 Note!

- did not *use to (didn't *use to) - (no "d" )

✔️ Yes/No Questions

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

✔️ Short Answers - (positive)

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

✔️ Short Answers - negative + (short form)

No,​ ​I /you / we /they / he / she / it did not / didn't.

3. How to use 'used to' for past habits / situations

Example Sentence

• Gregory used to be a police officer, but now he's a rugby player.

  
  

• Tom used to take his children to the nearby park every day when they were a lot younger.

  
  

• I didn't use to be very active at school.

  
  

• My mum used to wait for me everyday at the bus stop.

  
  

• I used to bake muffins every week. Now I hardly do any baking.

  
  

✏️Quick Note!

We use Past Simple for these situations:

e.g.

1. ​Sam went fishing three times last week.

2. ​I visited my grandma a couple of times last year.

3. Edith worked in Tokyo for 5 years.

   
   

🎯Note!

We don't say "used to".... 

❌ Sam used to go fishing 3 times last week.

❌I used to visit my grandma a couple of times last year.

❌Edith used to work in Tokyo for 5 years.

Interested to learn more?

🔗 7 Different Ways to Talk About the Past in English Grammar

Let's recap!

Used to

We use used to + base verb to talk about:

• past habits

• past routines

• past situations that are no longer true

Example:

• Lina used to wake up early. (She doesn’t wake up early now.)

Your Turn ✍️

a. Complete the sentences:

1. I used to ______________________ every morning.

2. I used to enjoy ______________________.

3. I didn’t use to ______________________, but I do now.

💬 Or say your answers out loud.

b. Change the following sentences using "used to"

👩‍🦰 Life used to be different...

• These days, I wake up early. 🌅.

  e.g. I didn't use to wake up early / I used to wake up late.

  
  

• I make breakfast for the kids every morning. 🍳

___________________________________________

• I don't wear much makeup. 💄❌

   ___________________________________________

• I dressed in T-shirt and jeans most days.👖

   ___________________________________________

• I shop at a local supermarket. 🛒

   ___________________________________________

• Life is busier. 🧺

   ___________________________________________

• The weather is hot all the time.🥵

   ___________________________________________

  
  

c. Talk about how you have changed:

a. your hairstyle  ___________________________________________

b. your interests  ___________________________________________

c. sports  ___________________________________________

d. Write 5 more sentences about yourself or loved one / life /your neighbourhood / anything with 'used to':

1. ___________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________

3. ___________________________________________

4. ___________________________________________

5. ___________________________________________

Need to review your Tenses?

🔗 The Complete Guide to English Tenses for ESL Learners

Enjoyed reading "used to" for past habits / routines?

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