Used To / Didn't Use To / Would

Learn how to talk about past habits, past states, and repeated memories.

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Topic

What do they mean?

Use used to for things that were true in the past but are not true now. Use didn't use to for past negatives. Use would for repeated past actions, especially memories and routines.

I used to ride a bike.
She didn't use to like tea.
We would play outside.
Did you use to live here?
Big idea

Ask: past habit or past state?

Past habitI used to walk to school.I did it before, not now.
Past stateShe used to be shy.She was shy before, not now.
Repeated memoryWe would visit Grandma every Friday.Again and again in the past.
Used to

Use used to for past habits.

I used to play chess.I played often in the past.Now maybe I do not.
Ali used to wake up early.It was his old routine.Past habit.
They used to eat lunch here.It happened before.Past routine.
Didn't use to

Use didn't use to for past negatives.

I didn't use to like fish.Before, I did not like it.Maybe I like it now.
Lina didn't use to wear glasses.Before, she did not wear them.Past negative.
We didn't use to have a garden.Before, we had no garden.Use, not used, after didn't.
Would

Clue words can help.

Every summerWe would swim in the sea.Repeated action.
After schoolOmar would play football.Repeated memory.
Not for statesShe used to be shy.Do not say: She would be shy.
Form reminder

Forms: used to, didn't use to, did you use to?

AffirmativeI used to live there.
She used to dance.used to + base verb
NegativeI didn't use to live there.
He didn't use to dance.didn't use to + base verb
QuestionDid you use to live there?
Did she use to dance?Did + subject + use to?
Form reminder

Used to can describe states. Would usually cannot.

CorrectI used to know that song.Past state.
CorrectShe used to have long hair.Past state.
Not naturalI would know that song.Would is not for this past state.
Compare

Would is good for repeated actions in stories.

When I was little...I would climb trees.A repeated action.
On weekends...Rami would help his father.A routine memory.
Every night...They would read stories.Repeated action.
Common mistake

Common mistakes.

CorrectShe used to sing.
She didn't use to sing.Use after didn't.
Not correctShe didn't used to sing.No -d after didn't.
CarefulShe used to be shy.Use used to, not would, for states.
Sentence completion 1

Choose the correct form.

We ___ in a small flat, but now we live in a house.

Sentence completion 2

Choose the correct form.

Maha ___ olives, but now she loves them.

Sentence completion 3

Choose the correct question.

___ you use to walk to school?

MCQ 1

Which sentence is correct?

Choose the best sentence.

MCQ 2

Which sentence is best for a past state?

Choose the best sentence.

Paragraph completion 1

Fill five blanks.

Choose the correct form. Think about past habits, past states, and repeated memories.

I near the sea.
Our school a library.
Every Friday, my cousins us.
My brother very quiet.
play with these toys?
Test 1

Mixed question types of 5

Answer all five. Then tap Finish test to see your result sheet.

1. Sentence completion

Hamad ___ his bike to school, but now he takes the bus.

2. MCQ

Which sentence is the correct negative form?

3. Type the answer

___ they use to live in Muscat?

4. Type the answer

Every evening, we ___ sit outside and tell stories.

5. MCQ

Which sentence is best for a past state?

Cumulative result sheet

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