‘Used to’ for Past Habits and Facts
This is Mr Ridley. He’s in prison! He was a dangerous
criminal but the police arrested him. Let’s look at
his life now, and in the past…
He didn't always like in a prison cell.
He used to live in a mansion. Now, he lives in a prison cell.
He had to
get used to it.
Now, he's
used to it.
He used to eat at expensive restaurants. Now, he eats prison food.
Is he used to
eating prison
food now?
He used to wear designer suits. Now, he wears a prison uniform.
/su:ts/ He got used to
wearing a prison
uniform.
He used to fly a helicopter. Now, he sits in the prison van.
/wachiz/ /prizn/
He used to watch films in his home cinema. Now, he watches films in prison.
IS USED TO STH
He used to go on holiday to Spain. Now, he never goes on holiday.
Is he used to
going on holiday
to Spain?
He used to be a mean person. Now, he sometimes remembers to be nice!
Is Mr Ridley happy now?
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‘Used to’ for Past Habits and Facts
Questions
1. He used to go on holiday to Spain. Is this happening now, or did it happen in the past?
2. He used to eat at expensive restaurants. Did this happen once, or often?
3. He used to live in a mansion. Did he do this for one day, or a long time?
We use ‘used to’ to talk about habits or facts in the past.
4. Use the words to complete the affirmative, negative, question and short answer forms.
did use to did didn’t didn’t used to
Affirmative: He live in a mansion.
Negative: He use to eat prison food.
Question: he use to eat in expensive restaurants?
Short answers: Yes, he .
No, he .
5. What type of verb do we use with ‘used to’? Circle the correct option.
base form verb with ‘ing’ verb in the past simple form
6. Can you complete these sentences?
a. I to go to a small school, but now I go to a big school.
b. I didn’t to live in a big city.
c. you use to watch cartoons?
d. Where did you to study English?
e. “Did you use to play football?” “Yes, I .”
f. I used to milk every morning for breakfast, but now I like tea.
g. Did you use learn the violin?
h. I didn’t like vegetables, but now I do.
i. “ she to sit next to you in class?”
j. Where you to go to school?
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‘Used to’ for Past Habits and Facts
Your Turn!
Can you remember when you were 3 years old? What did you use to do then that you don’t do
now? What didn’t you do?
Write 6 sentences with ‘use to’ or ‘didn’t use to’. You can use the pictures for help if you want.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Disclaimer: This resource has been made for the purpose of teaching English language learners. We know that students can be learning English in many different places, in many different ways and at any age,
so we try to keep these resources as general as possible. There are many acronyms associated with English language teaching. These include (but are not limited to) ELT, TEFL, EFL, ELL, EAL and ESOL. While
the term ESL may not fully represent the linguistic backgrounds of all students, it is the most widely recognised term for English language teaching globally. Therefore, we use the term ‘ESL’ in the names of our
resources to make them easy to find but they are suitable for any student learning to speak English.
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