Used To for Past Tense
Read and listen to four conversations using the grammar.
Conversation 1
Man: Do you play sports?
Woman: I used to play sports in high school.
Man: Yeah, I used to play, too.
Woman: Why did you stop?
Man: No time, I guess.
Woman: Yeah, I used to have so much free time.
Man: Me too! I miss those days.
Woman: What sports did you play?
Man: Baseball and basketball. I used to be pretty good, not anymore, though.
Woman: Yeah, we all get older.
Conversation 2
Man: Do you speak any foreign languages?
Woman: I speak French a little. I used to use it all the time, but not anymore.
Man: Really, why is that?
Woman: Well, I used to work for a French company, and then I changed jobs.
Man: Oh, really? I didn’t know that.
Woman: Yeah, it was a lot of fun. I used to go to France once a year for work.
Man: Lucky you! I love France.
Woman: Yeah, France is a lot of fun.
Conversation 3
Man: Are you coming to the party?
Woman: No, I have to work.
Man: Work! What happened? You used to never miss a party!
Woman: True, but I also didn’t use to have a stressful job.
Man: True, you used to be poor, but you were fun!
Woman: Yep! I used to be fun!
Conversation 4
Man: Hey, you used to have a Spanish co-worker, right?
Woman: Yeah, Maria, but she moved.
Man: Really? That’s too bad. I liked her. She used to always make me laugh.
Woman: I know. We used to have such fun together.
Man: She was so nice. She used to give me sweets when I visited your office.
Woman: Yeah, she loved baking. She used to bring cookies and cupcakes to the office every Friday.
Man: Sounds like you miss her.
Woman: I do! We all do.
Used to + base verb
Use the modal used to when talking about past events that no longer occur.
- (Q) Do you play golf?
(A) I used to play but not anymore. I don't have time.
- (Q) Do you play any instruments?
(A) Not really. I used to play the guitar but not anymore.
- (Q) Do you cook much?
(A) Not anymore. I used to though.
- (Q) Do you see your friend from school?
(A) Not really. We used to meet once a week but now we are too busy with life.
- (Q) Do you study French?
(A) I used to but I gave up. - (Q) Do you you and your family travel much?
(A) We used to but now we don't have time.
Gap Fill: Complete the conversation with the correct word!