The expression “used to” is used to talk about something that used to happen in the past but does not happen now. It can also describe a situation that was true in the past but is not true now.

e.g. I used to live in Richmond, but now I live in Vancouver.

e.g. It used to be colder in Vancouver, but now the temperature is quite warm.

After “used to” we use the infinitive (simple) form of a verb.

 

If you use an adverb such as “always, never, often,” it is placed before “used to.”

e.g. We never used to eat so much meat.

e.g. We always used to walk to school.

e.g. We often used to do four hours of homework every day.

 

The expression “used to” can also be used to describe something that was strange or unusual but now is normal.

e.g. I couldn’t study hard before, but I am used to studying long hours now.

e.g. I didn’t like eating garlic when I was a child, but I am used to it now and I like it.

When we use “used to” to mean “accustomed to” we follow “used to” with a gerund or a noun.

e.g. I am used to eating vegetables now. I hated them when I was young.

e.g. I am used to rain now. I doesn’t rain much in my country, but I like it now that I live in Vancouver.

Complete the practice exercises for “used to.”