Guide 7 Used To
Guide 7 Used To
Guide 7 Used To
USED TO
Used to is a common phrase in English. It is for actions in the past. This lesson shows you how
to use it properly. When you are ready, try the tests at the bottom.
Used to is a phrase used to show something happened in the past but it does not happen any
more. It could be either of these two options:
Used to Structure
Examples:
1. Fill the gaps with the correct word from the box.
didn’tpastnotsimpleinfinitive
1. We use 'used to' to talk about things that happened or were true in the _______________
but not now.
2. You can always use the past ____________ instead of 'used to'.
3. We use 'used to' to emphasize that the action or state is ______________ what happens
now.
4. Used to' is followed by the _______________ verb.
5. To make questions and negatives with 'used to', we use 'did' and _____________.
.
2. Complete the sentence using the correct form of 'used to' and one of these verbs:
He lived in Brazil until he was seven. He ______________ Portuguese, but he's forgotten a
lot of it now.
We ________________ smartphones, or even internet in our houses. To go online you had
to go to an internet café or library or something.
She _______________ but she's given up now. She's really healthy these days.
We _______________ together when we were children, but I don't see them much any
more.
You used to live on the same road as me! ______________ sweets in that shop on the
corner?
She ________________any sport at all, but now she's in the basketball team and she loves
it.
We always ________________ on the bridge with our legs hanging down, and throw sticks
into the river.
I didn't recognize him because of his new beard. He _________________ a beard! He looks
completely different now.
3. What did they use to do 10 years ago? Read the sentences and number the pictures:
4. Read and answer what Molly Hornby used to do when she was young. Write right or wrong
according to the text.
THE WAY WE WERE
“I was a young girl in the 1960s. My friends and I used to do a lot of things which shocked
our parents. We used to do things our mothers never did. We cut our hair, we wore short
skirts, we smoked, and went dancing. We danced to the music of Elvis Presley and the
Beatles. We also got the chance to see the Beatles live at a concert once. It was amazing.
My father went fishing once a week. He always wished that I would accompany him, but
fishing was not my cup of tea. Instead my friends and I went for picnics in the surrounding
area quite often. My boyfriend had a car, a 1960 Ford Falcon, so he always picked us up
and we often drove to Brighton. We went to the pictures twice a week and I loved to watch
films with Marlon Brando and Elizabeth Taylor, especially the ‘Reflections in a Golden Eye’
starring both of them. I still love to watch this film. It’s my favourite. I can remember it all so
clearly.”
Molly Hornby …
…used to watch films with Marlon Brando and Elizabeth Taylor. ______________