Using ‘used to’ in English at Level B1

In this lesson, we will look at using Used to in English.

There two common meanings of used to

1. Use(d) +infinitive is used to talk about repeated actions/states in the past.
I used to smoke (i.e. I did smoke, now I don’t)

2. To be +used to + noun/verb+ing is used instead of ‘accustomed to’
I am used to working night shifts (i.e. I am accustomed to it)

Use(d) + infinitive

• She used to live in England (she lived in England one time but doesn’t anymore)
• It used to rain a lot more in New Zealand (It doesn’t rain as much anymore)
• Students didn’t use to be so defiant (one time students were less defiant)

Affirmative

Subject	Used	Infinitive	Other
I/you/he/she/we/they/	used	to talk	everyday

Negative

Subject	Didn’t	Used	Infinitive	Other
I/you/he/she/we /they	didn’t	used	to live	together

Question

Did	Subject	Used	Infinitive	Other
Did	I/you/he/she/we/they/	use	to work	at Spark?

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To be + used to + -ing

• I am used to getting up at 6am now (I am accustomed to it)
• She is not used to working night shifts (she’s not accustomed to it)
• Are you used to driving overseas? (are you accustomed to it?)

Affirmative

Subject	To be	Used to	Noun/-ing	Other
I	am	used to	living	abroad
You/We/They	are	used to	living	abroad
He/She	is	used to	living	abroad

Negative

Subject	To be	Used to	Noun/-ing	Other
I	am not	used to	the teacher	yet
You/We/They	are not	used to	the teacher	yet
He/She	is not	used to	the teacher	yet

Question

To be	Used to	Noun/-ing	Other
Am I/Are you/Are we/Is he/Are they	used to	working	with children?

Some example sentences using USED TO:

• They used to live in the city, but now they’ve moved to the countryside.
• I used to have a favourite pen, but I lost it a few years ago.
• I always used to walk to school when I was a child.
• I never used to like coffee, but now I can’t start the day without a cup.

 

Pronunciation
The pronunciation of ‘used to’ above is the same for both meanings, and is pronounced as yoost to or /juːstə/

 

Now try these exercises. Fill the blanks with the correct form.

1. I be fitter, now I can’t even run for 10 minutes.

• am used to
• used to
• use to

Show the answer

2. Did she work for the same company as you?

• getting used to
• used to
• use to

Show the answer

3. Are you the long commute to work yet?

• getting used to
• use to
• get used to

Show the answer

4. I am not the oldest person at work, but all my workmates are so young these days!

• used to
• used to being
• use to be

Show the answer

5. Did you used to ?

• smoking
• smoked
• smoke

Show the answer

6. Are you in New Zealand yet?

• used to live
• used to living
• use to live

Show the answer

7. I am far too with my credit card all the time.

• used to buying
• used to buy
• didn’t use to buy

Show the answer

8. I used TV every evening, but I prefer reading now.

• to like watching
• to be watching
• not watching

Show the answer

9. My American friend is the time difference between New York and London, so he can’t sleep here properly yet.

• not used to
• not use to
• used to

Show the answer

10. I saw her everyday because she live next door.

• use to
• used to
• didn’t use to

Show the answer