Free English lesson with Notes - Grammar - Used to vs Past Simple (A2)

FORM

EXAMPLE

+

Subject + used to + V

I used to attend German classes.
(But now I don't)

She used to live in Greece.
(But now she lives in Portugal)

-

Subject + didn't use to + V

We didn't use to have a dog.
(But now we have a dog and a cat)

She didn't use to get up early.
(But now she has to wake up at 6 a.m.)

?

Did + subject + use to + V

Did you use to go jogging in the mornings?

Did Nick use to smoke at school?

Use it right!

We can use the past simple instead of 'used to' with no difference in meaning.
e.g.: I used to have long hair when I studied at school. = I had long hair when I studied at school.

For completed actions in the past we use Past Simple (NOT used to)
e.g.: They got married in 2005.
My grandmother attended her first dancing class when she was 65.