Used to

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'Used to'

Used to + infinitive

1. to talk about past states that are no longer true

2. to talk about regular past actions that don't happen any more

 - It always refers to past time!!

- you don't use it to talk about past actions that happened only once. Then you use the PAST SIMPLE!!

Examples

I used to have long hair (but now I have short hair).

He used to smoke (but now he doesn't smoke).

They used to live in India (but now they live in Germany).

He used to play football for the local team, but he’s too old now.

We used to go to the seaside every summer when I was a kid.

Forms

The form 'used to' is used with all subjects:

I used to live

He/she/it used to live

we used to live

you used to live

they used to live

Didn't use to (negations)

Watch out: no -d after use to!!

It didn’t use to be so crowded in the shops as it is nowadays

I didn’t use to like broccoli when I was younger, but I love it now.

Peter didn’t use to say things like that when I knew him.

Did you use to (questions)

Watch out: no -d after use to!!

Did they use to visit you often? Yes, they did. No, they didn't.

Did you use to work with Kevin Harris? Yes, I did.

Did you use to live in London? No, I didn't

Used to vs. Simple Past 

Both simple past and used to can be used to describe past habits, past facts and past states; 

Used to is preferred when emphasizing these forms of past repetition in positive sentences. 

On the other hand, when asking questions or making negative sentences, simple past is preferred.

I------ (work) in New York.

We ---- (play / not) outside.

------- (eat) pizza every week?