How does it work? Used to

We use 'used to' to talk about things that were true in the past, but are no longer true today.

I used to play football every Saturday. (I don't play football anymore)

She used to walk to school every day. (now she lives too far away and goes on her bike)

He used to dislike cheese. (now he loves it!)

The form we use is:

I / you / he / she / it / we / they used to + infinitive form (to form) of the verb

Note that with negative or question sentences we say 'use to' and not used to.

I didn't use to like cheese, but now I do.

She didn't use to enjoy yoga, but now she does.

He didn't use to speak French, but now he can.

The dog didn't use to sleep in the afternoon, but now he does.

Did she use to play football every week?

Where did you use to work?

Did you use to have goldfish?

How did you use to get to school?

We can also use used to to talk about something that we did regularly, but don't do so often any more.

I used to go to the cinema every month, but I haven't been for a long time.

He used to travel a lot for work, but he got a new job and now doesn't need to travel so much.

She used to get the train to work every day, now she often drives.

I didn't use to eat a lot of chocolate, but I eat some nearly every day now!

The dog didn't use to get lots of walks, but it often walks 5km a day now.

The baby didn't use to sleep all night, but she often does now.

Remember, we use used to only in positive sentences when talking about the past.

Something used to happen in the past. There is no present form of used to, we just use the present simple - I do.

I used to work in a shop, now I work in an office.

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