Past Routines & Statuses

Form

Used to + the base verb describes something that was true in the past and is not true now (I used to smoke; This street used to be quiet).

Would + the base verb does the same job, but only for actions that were repeated (Every July we would drive to the coast) — never for a state. In negatives and questions the -d disappears, because did is already carrying the past (I didn't use to like coffee; Did you use to walk to school?). Keep all of that apart from be used to + -ing, which is not about the past at all: it means being accustomed to something (She's used to working nights).

When to Use It

1. 1

   Past habits that have stopped, where used to and would both work

   I used to take the bus to work.

2. 2

   Past states and situations, where only used to works

   There used to be a bakery on this corner.

3. 3

   Repeated past actions told like a memory, where would adds a warmer, more nostalgic tone

   On summer evenings my father would sit on the porch and read.

4. 4

   Something that is familiar to you now, with be used to + -ing

   She is used to working night shifts.

5. 5

   Getting familiar with something over time, with get used to + -ing

   She is slowly getting used to living alone.

Common Mistakes

• The -d after did: write didn't use to, not didn't used to — did already marks the past.
• Would for a state: write I used to have a dog, not I would have a dog — would needs an action you repeated, and owning a dog is a state rather than something you did again and again.
• Be used to with a base verb: write I am used to getting up early, not I am used to get up early — that to is a preposition, so the verb takes -ing.
• Used to for a habit you still have: say I usually walk to work, not I used to walk to work — used to always means the habit has stopped.