Used what time. We talk about the past. USED TO and WOULD. Situations or states that are no longer true

04.08.2020

The path of the English language throughout history has always been thorny.

Since the reign of the British Empire, it has become widespread and has become available for development by ordinary people in many countries.

Now English has its own structured learning system, like any other language of civilized countries. And always along with the rules there are exceptions that give the language a certain flexibility.

One of these exceptions will now be discussed.

Turnaround "Used to" as a verb (Verb)

This turnover indicates what happened regularly in the past, but does not happen now. For example, it could be some habits, states, or repetitive routine actions:

I used to train every day when I was in the team - I trained every day when I was on the team. (I had a habit)
She used to live in Manchester - She used to live in Manchester. (condition)
Every day she used to say him, "Good morning, my dear" - Every day she told him: " Good morning, dear". (routine action)

Turnaround "Used to" as an adjective (Adjective)

In its own way, used to can act as an adjective and literally translate as “used to”:

His neighbors made noise every weekend. But he's used to it - His neighbors were noisy every weekend. But he's used to it.
They lived nightlife and are used to it - They lived the nightlife and got used to it.

Turnaround "Used to" in negative and interrogative forms

Obviously, I want to say that often when compiling such forms, English speakers use the simple Past Simple, without the “used to” turnover. But at the same time, offers sometimes slip through with this turnover.

The negative form (Negative) is formed in 2 ways:

1. Using the auxiliary verb did and the particle not:

didn't + use to + infinitive

He didn't use to like me, but then he changed his mind - He didn't like me, but then he changed his mind
I'm surprised that they joined the hockey club. I remembered they didn't use to like hockey - I'm surprised they joined the hockey club. I remember they didn't like hockey.

In most cases, we can use never instead of didn't:

He didn't use to work so much
He never used to work so much

2. With the verb to be and the particle not:

to be + not + used to

He's not used to the new order - He's not used to new orders.
I'm not used to her - I'm not used to her.

Interrogative form (Question).

Did + subject + use to + infinitive … ?

Did you use to travel a lot before you get this job? - (Have you ever travelled?)
Did you use to spend hours in front of the mirror when you were young?

Also "used to" can always be combined with special questions:

Where did he use to spend time at nights? Where does he like to spend his time at night?
What did you use to relax when you were a teenager? How did you usually relax when you were a teenager?

"Used to" and "would"

In some cases, we can replace used to with would if we are talking exclusively about habits:

I used to get up early when I've worked in the police
I would get up early when I've worked in the police

"Get used to"

A similar turnover shows the process of getting used to something and can be used at any time:

We got used to live here yet - We are already used to living here
Well I am getting used to tropical climate - Well, I'm already getting used to the tropical climate
I think that I will get used to new homeland - I think I'll get used to the new home

"Be used to + gerund"

Unlike the “used to + verb”, which indicated habits that were acquired in the past and remained there, this turnover indicates habits that were acquired in the past and are active now:

I'm used to working at night. (I used to work at night)
I used to work at night. (I used to work at night, but now I don't work)

In conclusion, I would like to mention one nuance. Sometimes people seem to say "use to" instead of "used to". This is all due to the fact that when used to is said, the extreme “d” is pronounced like t, and the next word “to” begins with the same sound. Therefore, it is heard as one t. When speaking, we often pronounce words quickly, which is why they stick together.

We also recommend watching this short video tutorial from our friend James

For those who study English, it can be difficult to master the “used to, be / get used to” rule. Many people simply confuse similar-sounding constructions. To use these phrases correctly, you need to understand what they mean.

past habits

Expression usedto denotes actions that often happened in the past, but no longer occur now. Usually the construction is translated as "before", "once".

I used to go for a walk every morning. unfortunately,Ihavenotimenow. - I used to go for a walk every morning. Unfortunately, I don't have time for that right now.

He used to be a shop assistant. Nowisamillionaire. - Once he was a salesman, and now he is a millionaire.

In this case, we are only talking about past habits, so the verb cannot be used in the present tense. In other words, you can't say "use to". The rules of use require the verb to be put in the Past Simple. If you need to talk about the habits that exist at the moment, use the Present Simple.

I used to eat bananas for breakfast. - BeforeIateon thebreakfastbananas.

Iusuallyeatbananasforbreakfast. I usually eat bananas for breakfast.

Please note: after the particle to is always infinitive. Other forms of the verb are not allowed here.

My sister used to be a naughty child. - Mysisterwasnaughtychild.

Let's continue with the rule. usedto used not only in affirmative sentences. We can safely construct a negative or interrogative sentence.

In the question, the first place is given did, followed by the subject and use to. The past tense is taken over by the auxiliary verb, so the initial form should be used useto.

Didsheusetowakeupearlywhenshewenttoschool? Did she have a habit of getting up early when she went to school?

Did they use to spend vacation together? - Beforetheycarried outtogethervacation?

In negative sentences, a particle is added to the auxiliary verb not, a useto also put in the initial form.

I didn't use to smoke when I was a schoolboy. - Inotsmoked, whenwalkedinschool.

Shedidn'ttusetoplaygolf. She hasn't played golf before.

Used to or would?

When it comes to past habits, sometimes another expression is used - would.

Kate would go to a swimming pool once a week. - BeforeKatewentinswimming poolonceinweek.

Remember the important rule: usedto can indicate both an action and a state.

Action: Myparentsdidn'ttusetogotoagym. - My parents never went to the gym before.

State: John didn'tusetoloveRockmusic. - Once upon a time, John did not like rock music.

Would indicates only a repeated action in the past. It is not used to describe a state.

My friend used to go shopping every weekend. Myfriendwouldgoshoppingeveryweekend. My friend used to go shopping every weekend.

But you can't say: John would love rock music. This proposal should use usedto.

Would can also describe actions that happened from time to time (often with an element of nostalgia). A good translation in this case is the word "used."

InmychildhoodIwouldgoforapicnicalmosteveryweekend. - As a child, I used to go to a picnic almost every weekend.

If you don't specify the regularity of the action, use usedto, not would.

Whenhewasachildheusedtowakeuplate. - He woke up late when he was a child (general, no regularity indicated).

Whenhewasachild,hewouldwakeuplateatweekends. - When he was a child, he woke up late on weekends (it is indicated how often the action was performed).

have a habit of doing something

Let's look at another rule. used to often confused with to be used to. However, they have completely different meanings. Expression tobeusedto means "to have the habit of doing something", and it can be replaced by a synonymous construction tobeaccustomedto. Previously, a person did not do this, but now his way of life has changed.

Heisusedtogettingupat 9am. - He used to get up at 9 am (he didn't do that before).

Since we are talking about a habit that a person has at the moment, the verb tobe logical to put in the present tense. For past habits, use the expression we already know usedto/didn"t use to. Compare:

My brother didn't use to eat healthy food. - Mybrotherbeforenotateusefulfood.

Now he is used to eating healthy food. - Nowis heused tothere isusefulfood.

Don't forget to put a particle to- there is no expression useddoing. The rule also requires the use of the gerund, not the infinitive.

Jesse is used to making his bed in the morning. - Jessieused tocoverbedonin the morning.

I am used to go to school on my foot. - Iused towalkinschoolon foot.

get used to something

Phrase togetusedto very close in value to the previous design. But there is a certain shade of meaning - “to get used to”, “to master”, “to adapt”. In this case, the synonymic construction would be tobecomeaccustomedto.

It is difficult to get used to a new climate. - TOnewclimatecomplicatedadapt.

Here we are talking about a habit that is just beginning to form.

He is getting used to doing the laundry twice a week. - Heaccustomsmyselfwashclothestwicebehindweek.

After the particle to you should also put a gerund.

TheyaregettingusedtospeakingChinese. They are getting used to speaking Chinese.

What grammatical tense should be used getusedto? The rule allows you to use any tense that makes sense.

Ittookhersometimetogetusedtonewtraditions. - It took some time before she got used to the new traditions.

In a few weeks you will get used to the local cuisine. - Throughcoupleweeksyouget used totolocalkitchen.

Exercises

We have discussed in detail the use usedto/beusedto/getusedto. The rule separates these constructions in meaning and grammatically. Practice using them in practice. Insert the appropriate words into the text. Be sure to select the correct time.

Jane -- smoke a lot. Then she quit it. Jen used to smoke a lot. But then she quit smoking.
I see you -_ new rules. Keep it up! I see you are getting used to the new rules. Keep it up!
How long did it take him to _ living in the suburbs? How long did it take him to get used to life in the suburbs?
You_be very hardworking. You have become a lazybones! - You were so hardworking. You have become lazy!
We _ speaking two languages. We are used to speaking two languages.
He _ coming in time. He taught himself to be on time.
I _ drinking tea. Coffee is bad for my health. - I've got into the habit of drinking tea. Coffee is bad for me.
Why don't you _ putting fewer spices in your food. I can't eat it! - Why don't you train yourself to put less spices in your food! I can't eat it!
I _ sweeping the floor every day. - I used to sweep the floor every day.
I_his pronunciation. Does anyone understand what he says? - I can't get used to his pronunciation. Does anyone even understand what he's saying?
Monika _ be a doctor, but she has already retired. Monika used to be a doctor. But she is already retired.
We _ be friends. Then something went wrong. - We were friends. But then something went wrong.

These three constructs are often difficult, especially for inexperienced English users. used to used to talk about habits. Wherein used to + inf. refers exclusively to the past tense, and get used to + noun/-ing or be used to + noun/-ing can be used at any time. To understand in what situations it is necessary to apply each of the structures, we will consider them in more detail.

Used to + Inf.

Used to + Inf. is used only for the past tense and for those repetitive actions, states and habits that are no longer relevant now.

She used to be overweight, but now she's slim. She used to be overweight, but now she has lost weight.
We used to live in Canada, but now we live in the US. We used to live in Canada, but now we live in the States.

Design used to + inf. can be substituted for normal past simple with the same meaning. This construction can be used to emphasize the past, but in general it has the same meaning as past simple.

She used to work a lot before she had a child. = She worked a lot before she had a child. — She worked hard before she had a child.
I used to work overtime before I left that job. = I worked overtime before I left that job. — I worked overtime until I quit that job.

design used to + inf. can not be used for one-time actions that occurred at a specific point in time in the past, in such cases you need to use only past simple.

I used to see him only once. – I saw him only once.- I only saw him once.
I used to go to Egypt last year. – I went to Egypt last year.— I went to Egypt last year.

Get used to / Be used to + noun/-ing

These two constructions are very similar, they are both used to talk about what we are used to at the time of the conversation, but there is still a slight difference. Design get used to + noun/-ing applies to the habituation process, and be used to + noun/-ing- to the result. Both of these constructions are used when there is a moment of adaptation to a new situation. To talk about habitual daily activities, it is usually used present Simple.

Be used to + noun/-ing

If we are used to a new situation and want to inform the interlocutor about it, we need to use be used to + noun/-ing. The design can be used not only in the present tense, but also in the past and future.

I've lived in London for three years and I'm used to bad weather. I have been living in London for three years now and I am used to bad weather.
When I met Alan I was used to living alone and I didn't want any flat mates.- When I met Alan, I was used to living on my own and did not want any flatmates.
I'm new in this town, but in a year I will be used to this place. I am new in this city, but in a year I will get used to this place.

This construction is not used in group times. Continuous/Progressive or Perfect. For these times, the construction get used to + noun/-ing.

I am being used to driving this car.–I'm getting used to driving this car. I'm getting used to driving this car.
I have been used to having lunch at work. –I have got used to having lunch at work. I am used to having lunch at work.

Get used to + noun/-ing

If getting used to a new situation required some effort from us, or we want to focus on the process or duration of getting used to, then in these cases it is better to use the construction get used to + noun/-ing. Just like the previous one, this construction can also be applied to the present, past and future time.

When I moved from my parents, first time I felt lonely. But now I got used to living alone.- When I moved away from my parents, at first I felt lonely. But now I'm used to living alone.
I don't like Chinese food, but I'll get used to it when I move to China. I don't like Chinese food, but I'll get used to it when I move to China.
I didn't like our new colleague from the first sight, and I'm still getting used to him.– I didn’t like my new colleague at first sight, and I’m still getting used to him.

Important! After used to only infinitive is used. After be/get used to used either gerund(verb ending -ing), or noun(noun).

And now a short test. Read the following example and if you understand everything, then you have probably learned the rules for using all constructions with used to.

Before I got a child I used to sleep until 9 a.m. Firstly, I wasn't used to getting up at 6 a.m., but now I'm getting used to it.

moreover.
accustomed
(used)

Phrases
used to — to be accustomed to something; get used to something; often did smth.
used towel — used towel
used to be — a person who once held a prominent position
be used to — have a habit; be accustomed
get used to — to become addicted; get used to
not used to
use up — expend
re use — reuse
in use — in use
no use — useless; nothing
Examples

I used to bike to work.

I rode my bike to work.

I used to see him often.

She used to have long hair.

I used to wear my hair long.

I used to have long hair.

I used to be a heavy smoker.

There used to be a house here.

My father used to mend our shoes.

Morphine is used to relieve pain.

They say habit is second nature. In English, to express the habit of doing some kind of repetitive action in the past, there is a grammatical construction used to.

Unlike English, in Russian it is sometimes impossible to give a concise translation of some expressions. You have to use a variety of descriptions. This is exactly the situation with the phrase used to. She has a relationship to actions that happened in the past and no longer have a place to be:

I used to buy an ice-cream on my way to school almost every day. - When I went to school, I used to buy ice cream almost every day on the way there.

I used to be a model. - I used to be a model.

You can pick up a fairly large number of synonyms for the translation of this phrase. They all store a value:

be used to something
often do something before, in the past
have a habit of doing something in the past

This grammatical turnover is used only to describe actions that can be expressed by the Past Simple tense:

I used to work with him. = I worked with him. I don't now.
I used to work with him. Now there is no.

The use of the structure used to

as a grammatical construction used to has nothing to do with the verb to use - use, use. We offer you the main situations for the correct use of this construction.

Equivalents of the grammatical construction used to

There are varieties of this grammatical turnover that are able to express action taking place in the present. With the help of structures be used to do and get used to we can describe such actions and states.

Grammatical phrase be used to

Be used to translated into English as "have a habit". A distinctive feature of this construction is that after itself it does not require a verb in the initial form. Correct use of nouns, pronouns or verbs with the ending - ing:

I am used to living alone. - I'm used to living alone.
He is used to it. - He's used to it.

Grammar get used to

We can translate this construction as “get used to, get used to, acquire a habit”. After it, you should also put a noun, pronoun or verb with the ending - ing:

I cannot get used to his smoking. - I just can’t get used to (reconcile) with the fact that he smokes.

Iceland has a colder climate, we've got used to iut. - In Iceland, the climate is colder, but we are used to it.

Design get used to can also express the future tense:

I will get used to big city life. - I'll get used to life in a big city.

So, we examined the main meanings and cases of the use of turnover used to and its equivalents. It is worth saying that he is a regular not only in colloquial speech, but also in literary English.

We wish you to learn how to talk about the actions that used to be in your life, and get used to new convenient grammatical constructions!

Victoria Tetkina