Intermediate › Grammar
Intermediate 📝 Grammar
Used to / would / be used to
Talk about past habits and states, and say what you are accustomed to.
1Learn
Goal: Talk about past habits and states, and say what you are accustomed to.
Used to + verb = a past habit or state that is no longer true: “I used to live in Thrissur.” Would + verb also describes repeated past actions, but not states: “Every summer we would visit our grandmother.” Be / get used to + noun or -ing means accustomed: “I’m used to the heat.” “I’m getting used to driving in Kochi.” Negative and question: didn’t use to / Did you use to…?
2Examples
I used to play cricket every evening.Habit, not now
There used to be a cinema here.State, not now
My grandfather would tell us stories at night.Repeated action
I’m used to waking up early.Accustomed
She’s getting used to the new job.
Did you use to have long hair?
3Common mistakes
I use to live in Kochi.
I used to live in Kochi.
I am used to wake up early.
I’m used to waking up early. — be used to + -ing
I would live in Thrissur.
I used to live in Thrissur. — would isn’t for states
4Practice quiz
Question 1 of 5Multiple choice
When I was a child, I ___ fear the dark.
5Speaking challenge
Speaking challenge
Describe 5 things you used to do as a child that you don’t do now, and 2 things you’re used to now.
0:30
Say it out loud. Nobody is listening — that’s the point. Mistakes are allowed.