English — Grammar: Used To (Past Habits) — 2nd Year Middle School — Algerian Curriculum

Used To (Past Habits)

“Used to” is a special expression in English that we use to talk about past habits, states, and repeated actions that no longer happen in the present.

Formation

Affirmative : Subject + used to + base verb
Negative : Subject + didn”t use to + base verb
Question : Did + subject + use to + base verb?

Examples :
– I used to play football every weekend. (I don”t play anymore.)
– She used to live in the countryside. (Now she lives in the city.)
– We didn”t use to have a car. (Now we have one.)
– Did you use to watch cartoons when you were young?

When to use “Used To”

1. Past habits and repeated actions : “He used to smoke, but he stopped.”
2. Past states and situations : “There used to be a cinema here.”
3. Things that were true in the past but are no longer true.

Common Mistakes

❌ Incorrect : I use to play tennis.
✅ Correct : I used to play tennis.
❌ Incorrect : I used to played tennis.
✅ Correct : I used to play tennis.
❌ Incorrect : I am used to play tennis. (Different meaning!)

Important Note

Don”t confuse “used to” (past habits) with “be/get used to” (be accustomed to).

Exercises

1. Complete : “When I was a child, I ___ (used to / play) with dolls.”
2. Make negative : “She used to eat meat.”
3. Make questions : “you / use to / live / in Algiers ?”
4. Write 3 sentences about things you used to do when you were younger.

See also Past Simple Tense and Present Perfect Tense.