used to / would
Mở rộng vốn từ với các ví dụ thực tế
'Used to' + base verb describes past habits or states that are no longer true: 'I used to play tennis as a kid' (but I don't now).
It works for both repeated actions (used to play) and past states (used to be shy). The form never changes: always 'used to' + base verb.
Ví dụ
I used to play tennis as a kid.
Past habit that has stopped.
We used to live in London.
Past state, no longer true.
She used to be very shy.
used to + 'be' for past states.
used to play
/juːst tə pleɪ/
I used to play tennis as a kid.
used to live
/juːst tə lɪv/
We used to live in London.
used to smoke
/juːst tə smoʊk/
He used to smoke, but he quit.
used to be
/juːst tə biː/
She used to be very shy.
Choose the correct form: I ___ tennis as a kid (but not now).
Past state of 'be': She used to ___ very shy.
'Would' + base verb also describes repeated past actions, often in nostalgic storytelling: 'Every summer, we would visit our grandparents.'
Important difference: 'would' works for repeated actions but NOT for past states. Say 'She used to be shy' — not 'She would be shy'.
Ví dụ
Every summer, we would visit our grandparents.
Repeated past action → would.
Grandfather would tell us stories at bedtime.
A typical, repeated action.
I would walk to school every morning.
would + base verb for a routine.
would visit
/wʊd ˈvɪzɪt/
Every summer, we would visit our grandparents.
would tell stories
/wʊd tel ˈstɔːriz/
Grandfather would tell us stories at bedtime.
would walk
/wʊd wɔːk/
I would walk to school every morning.
Which sentence is correct with 'would'?
Repeated past action of 'walk': I ___ walk to school every morning. (would/used)
The negative is 'didn't use to' (note: 'use', no -d, because 'did' carries the past): 'I didn't use to like coffee.'
You can also say 'never used to': 'She never used to go out at night.' Both express that something wasn't a habit before.
Ví dụ
I didn't use to like coffee, but now I love it.
Negative: didn't use to (no -d on 'use').
She never used to go out at night.
'never used to' = another negative form.
We didn't use to have a car.
didn't use to + base verb.
didn't use to
/ˈdɪdənt juːs tə/
I didn't use to like coffee, but now I love it.
never used to
/ˈnevər juːst tə/
She never used to go out at night.
Choose the correct negative: I ___ like coffee, but now I love it.
Another negative form: She ___ used to go out at night. (never/didn't)
Questions use 'Did + subject + use to' (again 'use', no -d): 'Did you use to live abroad?'
For wh- questions, the question word comes first: 'What did you use to do at weekends?'
Ví dụ
Did you use to live abroad?
Did + you + use to (no -d).
What did you use to do at weekends?
Wh-word + did + subject + use to.
Did he use to work here?
Question form for past habits.
Did you use to
/dɪd juː juːs tə/
Did you use to live abroad?
What did you use to
/wɒt dɪd juː juːs tə/
What did you use to do at weekends?
Choose the correct question: ___ you use to live abroad?
Complete the question: What did you ___ to do at weekends? (use/used)
Don't confuse 'used to do' (a past habit) with 'be used to doing' (be familiar/comfortable with something now). 'I am used to getting up early' means it feels normal to me now.
Key difference: after 'be used to' (and 'get used to'), the verb is in the -ing form, because 'to' here is a preposition, not part of an infinitive.
Ví dụ
I am used to getting up early.
be used to + -ing = familiar/comfortable now.
She got used to the cold weather.
get used to = become familiar with.
He isn't used to driving on the left.
Negative of 'be used to' + -ing.
am used to
/əm juːst tə/
I am used to getting up early. (familiar)
got used to
/ɡɒt juːst tə/
She got used to the cold weather. (became familiar)
Choose the correct form: I am used to ___ up early.
Become familiar: She got used to the cold weather. The -ing of 'get' here would be ___.
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Tiếp
Past Perfect (Continuous)