- used to
- used toW2S1 [ˈju:st tu:] modal v1.) if something used to happen, it happened regularly or all the time in the past, but does not happen now▪ He used to go to our school.▪ We're eating out more often than we used to.did not use to do sth▪ You didn't use to eat chips when you were younger.used not to do sth BrE▪ You used not to fuss like this.did sb use to do sth?▪ Did you use to go to church regularly?2.) if a particular situation used to exist, it existed for a period of time in the past, but does not exist now▪ Jimmy used to be a friend of mine.▪ There used to be a large car park on this site.did not use to be/do sth▪ Why are you so bad-tempered? You didn't use to be like this.did sb/sth use to be/do sth?▪ Did this building use to be a hotel?▪ Where did you use to live before you came to Manchester?▬▬▬▬▬▬▬GRAMMARIf you used to do something, you did it regularly or for a period of time in the past : She used to come here (NOT was used to come here) every week. | I used to go to that school.!! Do not say 'be used to'. This has a different meaning - see entry used1 .!! Use the infinitive after used to , not the past tense : My dad used to grow vegetables (NOT used to grew vegetables).!! For talking about a present habit, use usually : We usually eat (NOT use to eat) around six.In questions, say did someone use to ...? : Did he use to fight with his brother?In negatives, say didn't/did not use to ... : He didn't use to smoke. You can also say never used to : They never used to ask where I'd been. In formal British English you can also say used not to : Buses used not to stop here.▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.