ESL and EFL Resources : USED TO vs. USE TO (Intermediate) (EXERCISE I49E163)

Used to = an action or habit that was common in the PAST but not anymore.

I used to drink coffee every morning but now I drink tea.
She used to live in London but now she lives in New York.
He used to play football professionally but he had to quit because of an injury.

These sentences refer to a past habit or a continuous action in the past and they are affirmative.

BUT…

Used to in Negative

If we want to make a negative sentence, the didn’t part shows that we are talking about the past tense so we use , “use to”.

Example:

· I used to like her, but now I hate her.

· I didn’t use to like her but now I think she is great.

Many times we use never instead of didn’t. In this case we use “used” in past tense. Compare:

Complete the sentences with used to / didn’t use to or Did…use to… and a verb from the box below.

be get on with have listen to live work

(A) Carol ______________________ in London but she moved to Manchester last year.

(B) ___________________________________ a beard? You look different.

(D) I __________________________________ Sylvia but now we’re close friends.

(E) He _____________________________ very overweight but he went on a strict diet.

(F) I __________________________________ classical music, but now I love it.

ANSWERS

Complete the sentences with used to / didn’t use to or Did…use to…? A verb from the list below.

be get on with have listen to live work

(1) Carol used to live in London but she moved to Manchester last year.

(2) Did you use to have a beard? You look different.

(3) Where did you work before you got the job in the bank?

(4) I did not use to get on with Sylvia but now we’re close friends.

(5) He used to be very overweight but he went on a strict diet.

(6) I did not use to listen to classical music, but now I love it.

ESL and EFL Resources