Ls 23. Used to

Lesson 23. Used to

"Used to" describes activities in the past. Something was once true, but now the situation is different. Following "used to," the main verb is in the simple form: Subject + used to + ___ (main verb)

Example:

• She used to work as a waitress, but now she's working as a photographer
• Bill used to go out with Donna. Now he's going out with Cynthia
• He used to be thin. Now he has a potbelly (used to be = was / were)
• Her hair used to be green, and then she changed it to purple
• He used to go bowling at least two or three times a week, but when he lost his job he couldn't afford to go out as often. Now he goes bowling just once or twice a month.
• I used to take my kids to the park every day. Now they're too old to go.
• Soldiers used to use knives, swords, and shields when fighting. Now they use guns.
• She never used to wear a helmet when she rode her bike, but after getting into an accident, she wears one all the time. (Use 'never' or "didn't" to make "used to" negative. "never" sounds a little better)
• He never used to have to travel on business, but now he's away from home at least one or two weeks per month.
• He didn't used to travel on business so often but now he does.

Quiz: Part A.

1. He lived in Florida for a long time. Now he doesn't.
   • He used to live in Florida
2. Leonard was really heavy until he lost a hundred pounds.
   • Leonard used to be really heavy
3. Maria played piano for ten years before she stopped
   • Maria used to play the piano
4. She smoked for ten years before she decided to quit
   • She used to smoke
5. I ate a lot of candy when I was a kid.
   • I used to eat a lot of candy
6. They were married. Now they aren't
   • They used to be married
7. They spoke Spanish every day when they lived in Colombia
   • They used to speak Spanish every day.
8. Alice did her shopping every Saturday last year. Now she shops on Sunday.
   • Alice used to do her shopping very Saturday
9. You called me almost every day, but then you stopped calling.
   • You used to call me every day.
10. Blake used a lot of bad language when he was younger, but now he doesn't do that.
    • Blake used to use a lot of bad language.

Part B.

1. You speak English all the time now, but you didn't speak English very much in the past.
   • You never used to speak English
2. She goes to work eight hours a day, five days a week, but last year ...
   • She never used to go to work
3. Saul takes a lot of medicine.
   • When he was younger, he never used to take medicine
4. I need glasses to see things that are far away
   • I never used to need glasses when I was a child
5. Up until now, Ted wasn't overweight
   • Ted never used to be overweight