The Structure “Used to do”

The structure “used to” is used, when we are speaking about some habitual action, which was given up and now is not actual.

1. the structure denotes something that happened regularly in the past, but no longer happens:

I used to play tennis a lot, but I do not play it very often now.

2. We use the structure for showing something, that was true, but it is not true anymore.

This building is a furniture shop now. Though it used to be a cinema before.

3. The structure “used to” is past. There is no present form.

He used to smoke too much (past), now he doesn’t smoke at all(present).

The Forms of the Structure “used to”

affirmative	Sub used to V.	Val used to eat much chocolate, when she was a child. But now she prefers fruit.
negative	Sub did not use to V. (Sub didn’t use to V)	Val didn’t use to eat fruit, when she was a child. But now after she gave up eating chocolate, she prefers fruit.
interrogative	Did Sub use to V?	Did Val use to eat fruit, when she was a child? Yes, she did. No, she didn’t.

BUT! Do not confuse “I used to do” and “I am used to doing”

I used to live alone (I lived alone some time ago, but now I no longer live alone)

I am used to living alone (I live alone now and I don’t feel strange or new, as I have been living alone for some time)

Exercise 1.

Complete the sentences with the structure “used to” and use the prompts, given in the brackets.

Model: Helen gave up drinking alcohol. (Wine, whisky) – Helen gave up drinking alcohol. Though she used to drink much wine and whisky a day some years ago.

1. We became vegetarians, and it was rather difficult for us as … (sausages, rissoles, and beefsteak).

2. The Ramonds live in a big apartment in the centre of the city now. It was no easy matter for them to settle down there, because … (village, quiet life)

3. I do not like sweets now, in spite of the fact … (chocolate bars/ childhood)

4. Jake let me seriously down, that’s why we decided to split, but (to rely on/ to trust)

5. Getting ready for our masked ball, we went to our granny’s attic to look for original costumes. It was the best way to surprise everybody as the granny … (to create.../ to dream of a career of a designer).

6. I do not like to go to the Puppet theatre with my children, though when I was a child… (to frequent)

7. I bought a car and now I adore driving it. It is not a surprise for my friends, as they know, that being a child… (a bicycle).

Exercise 2. Alexander has changed his style of life after entering the university greatly. Describe Alexander’s style of life before and after his entrance examinations, using the structure “used to” and “didn’t use to”:

Model: He used to live with his parents and he did not use to live at a hostel

Before he entered the university	After he entered the university
he lived with his parents he went to bed early he woke up rather late he didn’t cook himself he spent little time on his home task he didn’t wash his dirty clothes he went to the library very seldom.	he lives at a hostel he sits up late very often he gets up early he learns to cook he spends all his time on reading he does the washing himself he spends many hours making notes.

Exercise 3. Tell, how your life has changed since the moment you entered the University, using the structure “used to”.