Logotipo da escola Sue’s Chat & That com microfone, nome em azul, rosa e amarelo e ilustração de professora apontando
Logotipo da escola Sue’s Chat & That com microfone, nome em azul, rosa e amarelo e ilustração de professora apontando

Used to 14

Activities
Grammar and Vocab
Medium B1 & B2
Used to
Used to 14
USED TO (Past Habits and States)

⏰USED TO (Past Habits and States)

1️⃣What does USED TO mean?

📝We use used to + base verb to talk about:

  • 🔄Habits in the past (things we did regularly before, but not now).
  • 📍States in the past (situations or facts that were true before, but not now).

👉Example:

  • I used to play football every weekend. (I don't play anymore.)
  • She used to live in Rio. (Now she lives somewhere else.)

2️⃣Brazilians' Common Mistake 🚨

⚠️Many Brazilian students think "used to" means "usually" or "normally" for routines. But this is WRONG.

  • ❌I used to walk every day at 7am. → This means you walked every day in the past, but you don't anymore.
  • ✅I usually walk every day at 7am. → This means you walk at 7am now, as a routine.

👉Remember:

  • ⏰used to = past habits that don't happen anymore.
  • 🔄usually / normally = routines in the present.

3️⃣Forms of USED TO

✅Affirmative
  • 📺I used to watch cartoons when I was a child.
  • 🏖️They used to go to the beach every summer.
❌Negative

👉We use didn't use to (no "-d").

  • 🥬I didn't use to like vegetables.
  • 🐕She didn't use to have a dog.
❓Interrogative

👉We use Did … use to?

  • 🎮Did you use to play video games?
  • 🏠Did he use to live in London?

4️⃣Comparison Table

ExpressionMeaningExample
used toPast habit or state (not true now)I used to ride my bike to school. (not anymore)
usually / normallyPresent habit or routine (still true)I usually ride my bike to school. (still true)

5️⃣Common Mistakes ❌✅

  • ❌I used to go to the gym every day (still true).
    ✅I usually go to the gym every day.
  • ❌She didn't used to like pizza.
    ✅She didn't use to like pizza.
  • ❌Did you used to play football?
    ✅Did you use to play football?

✨Quick Tip

  • ⏰If it's about the past but not anymore, use used to.
  • 🔄If it's about a routine now, use usually / normally.

📝More Examples

⏰USED TO Examples (Past habits/states - not anymore):

  • 🚬My father used to smoke, but he quit last year.
  • 🏢I used to work in a bank before I became a teacher.
  • 👶She used to be very shy when she was young.
  • 🚗We used to have a red car.

🔄USUALLY/NORMALLY Examples (Present routines):

  • ☕I usually drink coffee in the morning.
  • 📚She normally studies at the library.
  • 🏃They usually go running on weekends.
  • 🛏️He normally goes to bed at 10 PM.

🔧Formation Summary

✅Affirmative:

Subject + used to + base verb

I used to live in São Paulo.

❌Negative:

Subject + didn't use to + base verb

I didn't use to like spicy food.

❓Question:

Did + subject + use to + base verb?

Did you use to play the guitar?

⚠️Special Notes for Brazilians

  • 🇧🇷Don't translate directly from Portuguese! "Eu costumava" ≠ "I used to" for present habits
  • ❌Wrong: "I used to go to the gym every day" (if you still go)
  • ✅Correct: "I usually go to the gym every day" (if you still go)
  • 💡Think: Used to = STOPPED doing it
  • 💡Think: Usually = STILL doing it

💭Remember

  • ⏰USED TO = past habits or states that are no longer true
  • 🚫In negative and questions, remove the "-d": didn't use to, did ... use to
  • 🔄For present routines, use usually, normally, always, often
  • 🇧🇷Brazilian students: Don't confuse with present habits!
  • 💡Key question: "Do you still do this?" If NO → used to / If YES → usually