Module 4: Mastering Modal Verbs - Lesson 4.15: Modal Verb - USED TO

Module 4: Mastering Modal Verbs - Lesson 4.15: Modal Verb - USED TO

Lesson 4.15: Modal Verb - USED TO

In this lesson, we will focus on the modal verb phrase USED TO, which is used to talk about past habits and past states that are no longer true in the present. "Used to" is essential for describing things that were regular or true in the past but have changed. It allows you to contrast past situations with the present.

USED TO - Expressing Past Habits and States

USED TO is a unique modal verb phrase that specifically refers to the past. It has two primary uses:

  • Past Habits: To describe actions that were done regularly or habitually in the past, but are not done now.
  • Past States: To describe situations or states that were true in the past, but are no longer true in the present. This can include feelings, beliefs, or conditions.
"Used to" always refers to the past and emphasizes the contrast with the present situation.

Key Uses of USED TO (Past Habits and States):

  • Describing Past Habits: To talk about actions that were done regularly in the past but are no longer habits now. Implies a change in routine or behavior.
  • Describing Past States: To talk about conditions, situations, feelings, or beliefs that were true in the past but are different now. Implies a change in state or situation.
  • Contrasting Past with Present: "Used to" inherently creates a contrast between the past and the present. It highlights how things have changed over time.

Forming Sentences with USED TO (Past Habits and States):

The structure is:

Formula: Subject + used to + Base Verb (Note: "used to" is always in the past form, even when talking about repeated past actions. *Incorrect:* "use to", *Correct:* "used to")

Examples of USED TO (Past Habits and States) in Use:

  • Describing Past Habits:
    • "I used to play football every day after school." (Past habit - no longer playing football daily now)
    • "She used to smoke, but she quit last year." (Past habit - smoking in the past, but not now)
    • "We used to go to the beach every summer." (Past habit - regular summer beach visits in the past, not necessarily now)
    • "He used to get up early, but now he sleeps in." (Past habit - early rising in the past, different routine now)
    • "They used to live in London, but they moved to the countryside." (Past habit/state - living in London in the past, living elsewhere now) - Can describe both habit of living somewhere and past state of residence.
  • Describing Past States:
    • "I used to be very shy." (Past state - shyness in the past, different personality now)
    • "There used to be a cinema in this street." (Past state - cinema existed in the past, but not anymore)
    • "She used to have long hair." (Past state - long hair in the past, different hairstyle now)
    • "He used to believe in Santa Claus." (Past state - past belief, changed belief now - typical of childhood)
    • "We used to be good friends." (Past state - friendship in the past, relationship may have changed)

Negative and Question Forms of USED TO (Past Habits and States):

For negative and question forms with "used to," we typically use the auxiliary verb DID, similar to forming questions and negatives in the Past Simple tense:

  • Negative (Past Habit/State - DIDN'T USE TO): Subject + did not use to / didn't use to + Base Verb (Note: In negative and question forms, "used to" often becomes "use to" - *Incorrect:* "didn't used to", *Correct:* "didn't use to") (e.g., I didn't use to like coffee, She didn't use to live here) - Contraction: *didn't use to* is common. *Did not use to* is slightly more formal. "Didn't use to" expresses that something was *not* a past habit or past state.
  • Question (Asking about Past Habits/States - DID...USE TO?): Did + Subject + use to + Base Verb? (Note: Again, "used to" becomes "use to" in question form) (e.g., Did you use to play football? Did she use to work here?) - "Did...use to?" questions inquire about past habits or states.

Examples of Negative and Question Forms of USED TO (Past Habits and States):

  • Negative - Past Habit/State (using DIDN'T USE TO): "I didn't use to like coffee, but now I love it." (Past negative habit - changed taste)
  • "She didn't use to be so outgoing." (Past negative state - changed personality)
  • "We didn't use to have a car." (Past negative state - past lack of car ownership, now have one)
  • "He didn't use to eat vegetables." (Past negative habit - changed eating habits)
  • "They didn't use to know each other." (Past negative state - past lack of acquaintance, now they know each other)
  • Question - Past Habit/State (using DID...USE TO?): "Did you use to play a musical instrument?" (Question about past habit - inquiring about musical background)
  • "Did she use to work in this company?" (Question about past state - inquiring about past employment)
  • "Did they use to live in this town?" (Question about past state - inquiring about past residence)
  • "Did it use to be hotter in the summers?" (Question about past state - inquiring about past climate conditions)
  • "Where did you use to go on holiday as a child?" (Question with question word "where" - inquiring about past holiday habits)

USED TO vs. WOULD for Past Habits: Key Differences - States vs. Actions

  • USED TO: Used for both past habits (actions done repeatedly) and past states (conditions, situations, feelings). More general for describing how things *were* in the past and how they have changed.
  • WOULD (for Past Habits): Can *sometimes* be used to describe repeated actions in the past (past habits), but it is not used for past states. Often used in more formal writing or storytelling. Less common for past habits than "used to" in everyday conversation. Often emphasizes typical behavior in stories.

While "would" can occasionally describe past habits, "used to" is the primary and most versatile way to talk about both past habits and past states that are no longer true. "Used to" is generally preferred for everyday conversations about past habits and states and for clearly contrasting the past with the present. "Would" for past habits is more restricted to describing typical behavior in narratives and is not used for past states.

Key takeaway: USED TO is used to describe past habits and past states that are no longer true in the present. It is essential for contrasting the past with the present. Use "used to" for both repeated past actions and past situations/states. For negative and question forms, use "didn't use to" and "Did...use to?". Congratulations! You have completed Module 4: Mastering Modal Verbs! Next, we will move on to Module 5: Conditionals - if clauses and hypothetical situations.