used to / would
Learn used to and would for past habits and states, the negative didn't use to, questions with did, and the difference between used to and be used to.
In short
- used to + infinitive = a past habit or state that is no longer true: 'I used to live in Rome.'
- Negative: didn't use to (no -d). Question: Did you use to…? (no -d).
- would + infinitive = repeated past actions only, not states: 'We would play outside for hours.'
- For single events, exact numbers of times or lengths of time, use the past simple: 'I lived there for five years.'
- be/get used to + noun or -ing = be/become familiar with something: 'I'm used to working nights.'
- 'Used to' is pronounced /ˈjuːs tə/, with an /s/ sound, not /z/.
Use 'used to' + infinitive to talk about things that were true in the past but are not true now. It can describe past habits (repeated actions) and past states: 'I used to play tennis every Saturday' (a habit — I don't play now). 'We used to live in a tiny flat' (a state — we don't live there now).
The form is the same for all persons: I/you/he/she/we/they used to + infinitive. It has no present form: for present habits, use the present simple, often with 'usually': 'I usually walk to work' (not 'I use to walk').
'Used to' often contrasts the past with the present: 'She used to be very shy, but now she's a TV presenter.' 'There used to be…' is a useful pattern for describing how a place has changed: 'There used to be a cinema here.'
Pronunciation: 'used to' is pronounced /ˈjuːs tə/, with an /s/ sound — different from the verb 'use' /juːz/ as in 'I use a laptop'.
Form:used to + infinitive (I used to live / She used to be)
Examples
I used to play tennis every Saturday.
Past habit — I don't play now.
We used to live in a tiny flat.
Past state.
She used to be very shy, but now she's a TV presenter.
Past vs present.
There used to be a cinema here. Now it's a supermarket.
Describing how a place has changed.
My dad used to smoke, but he gave up years ago.
A habit that stopped.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
I use to play tennis when I was young.Correct:I used to play tennis when I was young.
In positive sentences, write 'used' with -d.
Incorrect:
I used to playing the piano.Correct:I used to play the piano.
used to + infinitive, not -ing.
Incorrect:
I use to get up at seven every day.Correct:I usually get up at seven every day.
'Used to' is only for the past; for present habits, use 'usually' + present simple.
used to play
/ˌjuːs tə ˈpleɪ/
I used to play tennis as a kid.
used to live
/ˌjuːs tə ˈlɪv/
We used to live in London.
used to be
/ˌjuːs tə ˈbiː/
She used to be very shy.
there used to be
/ðeə ˌjuːs tə ˈbiː/
There used to be a cinema in this street.
nowadays
/ˈnaʊədeɪz/
I used to cycle, but nowadays I drive.
Choose the correct form: I ___ tennis when I was at school, but I stopped.
Complete with the correct form of 'use to' and the verb 'be': She ___ very shy, but now she loves performing.
Complete with the correct form of 'use to' and the verb 'have': We ___ a dog when I was little.
You go to the gym most days now. Choose the correct sentence.
Match the past with the present.
Select a word on the left, then its pair on the right.
Build the sentence.
Tap words in order to build the sentence.
Make the negative with 'didn't use to' + infinitive: 'I didn't use to like coffee, but now I drink it every day.' After 'didn't', write 'use' without -d, because 'did' already shows the past — just like 'didn't play' or 'didn't go'.
You may see 'didn't used to' in informal writing, but 'didn't use to' is the standard form, so use it in exams.
'Never used to' is a common alternative, and it keeps the -d because there is no 'did': 'She never used to go out during the week.'
To show that a past situation has stopped, you can also use the present simple with 'any more': 'I used to eat meat, but I don't any more.'
Form:didn't use to + infinitive · never used to + infinitive
Examples
I didn't use to like coffee, but now I love it.
didn't use to (no -d on 'use').
She never used to go out during the week.
'never used to' keeps the -d.
We didn't use to have a car.
We had no car then; we have one now.
He didn't use to be so impatient.
A change in someone's character.
I used to eat meat, but I don't any more.
Contrast with the present.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
I didn't used to like vegetables.Correct:I didn't use to like vegetables.
After didn't, use 'use' (no -d) in standard English.
Incorrect:
I didn't use to liked coffee.Correct:I didn't use to like coffee.
use to + infinitive (base form).
Incorrect:
She never use to go out.Correct:She never used to go out.
Without 'did', keep the -d: never used to.
didn't use to
/ˌdɪdnt ˈjuːs tə/
I didn't use to like coffee, but now I love it.
never used to
/ˌnevə ˈjuːs tə/
She never used to go out at night.
any more
/ˌeni ˈmɔː/
I don't play the guitar any more.
impatient
/ɪmˈpeɪʃnt/
He didn't use to be so impatient.
Choose the standard negative: I ___ like coffee, but now I love it.
Complete with 'never', the correct form of 'use to' and the verb 'go': She ___ out on weeknights.
Complete with the negative of 'used to' + the verb 'have': We ___ a car, so we walked everywhere.
Which sentence is correct?
One word is extra — leave it out. Build the sentence.
Tap words in order to build the sentence.
Make questions with 'Did' + subject + 'use to' + infinitive. As in the negative, 'use' has no -d after 'did': 'Did you use to play an instrument?' 'Did she use to live here?'
Short answers use did/didn't: 'Did you use to walk to school? — Yes, I did. / No, I didn't.'
For wh- questions, put the question word first: 'Where did you use to go on holiday?' 'What did people use to do before the internet?'
These questions are a great way to start conversations about childhood and changes: 'What games did you use to play as a child?'
Form:(Wh-word) + did + subject + use to + infinitive?
Examples
Did you use to play an instrument?
Did + you + use to (no -d).
Did she use to live here? — Yes, she did.
Short answer with did.
Where did you use to go on holiday?
Wh-word + did + subject + use to.
What did people use to do before the internet?
Asking about a past situation.
What games did you use to play as a child?
Talking about childhood.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
Did you used to live abroad?Correct:Did you use to live abroad?
After 'did', use 'use' without -d.
Incorrect:
Used you to live here?Correct:Did you use to live here?
Form questions with 'did'.
Incorrect:
Where you used to go on holiday?Correct:Where did you use to go on holiday?
Wh-questions need 'did' before the subject.
Did you use to
/dɪd ju ˈjuːs tə/
Did you use to live abroad?
What did you use to
/ˈwɒt dɪd ju ˈjuːs tə/
What did you use to do at weekends?
childhood
/ˈtʃaɪldhʊd/
Tell me about your childhood.
as a child
/əz ə ˈtʃaɪld/
As a child, I used to collect stamps.
Choose the correct word: ___ you use to live abroad?
Write 'use' or 'used': What did you ___ to do at weekends?
Complete the short answer: 'Did you use to walk to school?' — 'Yes, I ___.'
Choose the correct question.
Make a question.
Tap words in order to build the sentence.
'Would' + infinitive can also describe repeated actions or routines in the past. It is common in stories and memories, often with a nostalgic feeling: 'Every summer we would drive to the coast. My dad would sing all the way there.'
'Would' is only for repeated actions, not for past states. With state verbs such as be, have (= own), live, like, know and believe, use 'used to': 'We used to have a dog' (not 'We would have a dog'). 'He used to be a teacher' (not 'He would be a teacher').
We often introduce the topic with 'used to' and then continue with 'would' to avoid repeating ourselves: 'When I was a child, we used to stay on my grandparents' farm. We would get up early and feed the animals.'
In speech, 'would' is often shortened to ''d': 'We'd play outside for hours.' Use this 'would' only when the past context is clear; otherwise it may sound like a conditional.
Form:would ('d) + infinitive — repeated actions only, not states
Examples
Every summer we would drive to the coast.
Repeated past action → would.
My grandfather would tell us stories at bedtime.
A typical, repeated action.
We'd play outside until it got dark.
'd = would.
We used to have a dog called Max.
'have' (own) is a state → used to, not would.
When I was little, we used to visit my aunt. She would always bake a cake.
used to first, then would.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
When I was young, I would have long hair.Correct:When I was young, I used to have long hair.
'Have long hair' is a state, so use 'used to'.
Incorrect:
We would live in a small village.Correct:We used to live in a small village.
'Live' here is a state → used to.
Incorrect:
Every Sunday we would to visit our grandparents.Correct:Every Sunday we would visit our grandparents.
would + infinitive without 'to'.
would visit
/wʊd ˈvɪzɪt/
Every summer, we would visit our grandparents.
would tell stories
/wʊd ˌtel ˈstɔːriz/
Grandfather would tell us stories at bedtime.
would walk
/wʊd ˈwɔːk/
I would walk to school every morning.
nostalgic
/nɒˈstældʒɪk/
Old photos always make me feel nostalgic.
routine
/ruːˈtiːn/
Our Sunday routine never changed.
Which sentence is correct?
Write 'would' or 'used to': We ___ live in a small village by the sea.
Write 'would' or 'used to' + the verb 'tell': At bedtime, my grandfather ___ us stories about his childhood.
In which sentence can you replace 'used to' with 'would'?
Build the sentence.
Tap words in order to build the sentence.
Both 'used to' and the past simple can describe past habits and states: 'I used to walk to school' / 'I walked to school every day.' 'Used to' emphasises that the situation has changed and is no longer true.
But only the past simple can describe a single event that happened once: 'I went to Spain last summer' (not 'I used to go to Spain last summer').
Only the past simple can be used when you say exactly how many times or how long something happened: 'I visited Rome three times' (not 'I used to visit Rome three times'). 'She lived in Paris for five years' (not 'She used to live in Paris for five years').
'Used to' often appears without a time expression, or with general ones such as 'when I was a child', 'in those days' or 'years ago'.
Form:used to = finished habit or state · past simple = also single events, number of times, length of time
Examples
I used to walk to school. Now I take the bus.
A habit that has changed.
I walked to school every day when I was a child.
The past simple is also possible for habits.
I went to Spain last summer.
One event → past simple only.
I visited Rome three times in the 1990s.
Number of times → past simple.
She lived in Paris for five years.
Length of time → past simple.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
I used to go to Spain last summer.Correct:I went to Spain last summer.
A single event at a specific time → past simple.
Incorrect:
I used to live in Paris for five years.Correct:I lived in Paris for five years.
With a length of time, use the past simple.
Incorrect:
We used to visit her four times.Correct:We visited her four times.
With an exact number of times, use the past simple.
in those days
/ɪn ˈðəʊz deɪz/
In those days, nobody had a mobile phone.
years ago
/ˌjɪəz əˈɡəʊ/
Years ago, this was a fishing village.
once
/wʌns/
I met him only once.
Choose the correct sentence.
Complete with the past simple or 'used to' + the verb 'live': She ___ in Paris for five years before moving to Berlin.
Which sentence is NOT correct?
Build the sentence.
Tap words in order to build the sentence.
Don't confuse 'used to do' (a past habit) with 'be used to doing' (be familiar with something, so it no longer seems strange or difficult). 'I used to live alone' = I lived alone in the past. 'I'm used to living alone' = living alone is normal for me now.
'Get used to' means 'become familiar with something' — the process of change: 'It took me months to get used to the cold.' 'You'll soon get used to the new system.'
In both expressions, 'to' is a preposition, so it is followed by a noun, a pronoun or an -ing form — never the infinitive: 'I'm used to the noise.' 'I'm not used to it.' 'She's getting used to working at night' (not 'used to work at night').
'Be/get used to' can be used in any tense: 'I wasn't used to driving on the left.' 'Have you got used to your new job?' 'I'll never get used to getting up at 5 am.'
Form:be/get used to + noun / pronoun / verb-ing
Examples
I'm used to getting up early — I've done it for years.
Familiar now.
It took me months to get used to the cold.
get used to = become familiar.
He isn't used to driving on the left.
Negative of 'be used to' + -ing.
You'll soon get used to the new system.
get used to + noun.
I used to live alone, but now I share a flat.
Different meaning: a past situation.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
I'm used to get up early.Correct:I'm used to getting up early.
'To' is a preposition here, so use -ing.
Incorrect:
I used to living in a big city.Correct:I'm used to living in a big city.
For 'familiar with', you need 'be': I'm/She's used to…
Incorrect:
I can't get use to the noise.Correct:I can't get used to the noise.
Always 'used', with -d, in be/get used to.
be used to
/bi ˈjuːst tə/
I am used to getting up early. (familiar)
get used to
/ˌɡet ˈjuːst tə/
You'll get used to the weather.
got used to
/ˌɡɒt ˈjuːst tə/
She got used to the cold weather. (became familiar)
familiar with
/fəˈmɪliə wɪð/
I'm not familiar with this software.
accustomed to
/əˈkʌstəmd tə/
She's accustomed to working long hours.
Choose the correct form: I'm used to ___ up early.
Complete with the correct form of 'drive': He's from the UK, so he's used to ___ on the left.
Match each sentence with its meaning.
Select a word on the left, then its pair on the right.
You moved to Finland a month ago and the winter still feels very hard. What do you say?
Build the sentence.
Tap words in order to build the sentence.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 'used to' and 'be used to'?
'Used to + infinitive' describes a past habit or state that has stopped: 'I used to smoke.' 'Be used to + -ing or noun' means you are familiar with something, so it isn't strange or difficult: 'I'm used to working late.'
Is it 'didn't use to' or 'didn't used to'?
The standard form is 'didn't use to', because 'did' already shows the past: 'I didn't use to like jazz.' The same goes for questions: 'Did you use to live here?' 'Didn't used to' is sometimes seen in informal writing, but avoid it in exams.
When can I use 'would' instead of 'used to'?
Only for repeated past actions: 'Every summer we would go camping.' You can't use 'would' for past states with verbs like be, have, live or know: 'I used to have a bike', not 'I would have a bike'.
Can I use 'used to' for the present?
No. 'Used to' only refers to the past. For present habits, use the present simple, often with 'usually': 'I usually cycle to work.'
How do you pronounce 'used to'?
Say /ˈjuːs tə/, with an /s/ sound and a weak 'to'; the 'd' is not heard. This is different from the verb 'use' /juːz/, as in 'I use a laptop.'
Choose the correct sentence.
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Past Perfect (Continuous)