i used to keep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "i used to keep" is correct and usable in written English, although it should start with a capital "I." You can use it to describe a past habit or routine that you no longer follow.
Example: "I used to keep a journal every night before bed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He added, "I used to keep everything.

The New Yorker

But it's exactly where I used to keep the phone".

The New York Times

I used to keep every card from every show.

The Guardian

I used to keep a folder of headlines.

The New Yorker

When I got press pictures done, I used to keep my mouth shut.

Independent

I used to keep all my dormitory mates awake from the nightmare.

Independent

But I absolutely can't remember how I used to keep my glasses safe while I slept.

The New York Times

"I used to keep a Mantegna up in the studio just for hope.

The New Yorker

I used to keep dogs, too, and would course rabbits and hares.

Independent

"I used to keep my surfboard in my locker," he said.

The New York Times

I used to keep a pot of Greek basil growing outside my front door.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing past habits or routines, ensure the context clearly indicates the time frame when you "I used to keep" something.

Common error

Avoid mixing past and present tenses when describing the item you "I used to keep". Be consistent in describing the state of the item during that past period.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I used to keep" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past habit or state of possessing or maintaining something. As evidenced by the Ludwig examples, it often precedes a noun or noun phrase specifying what was kept.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I used to keep" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a past habit or state of maintaining, storing, or possessing something. As noted by Ludwig, it should begin with a capital "I". It is frequently found in news and media sources, as well as scientific contexts. The phrase indicates that the speaker or writer no longer engages in the described action. While it can be replaced with alternatives like "I once kept" or "I formerly kept", it is essential to maintain consistent tense throughout the sentence. Common errors involve incorrect verb forms (e.g. "I used to kept").

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I once kept

Replaces "used to" with "once", offering a more concise way to express a past habit.

I formerly kept

Substitutes "used to" with "formerly", indicating a more formal tone for a past practice.

I had a habit of keeping

Expands the phrase to explicitly state a habit, adding emphasis.

I would keep

Uses "would" to describe a repeated action in the past.

Previously, I kept

Adds "previously" to indicate a time before the present.

In the past, I kept

Similar to 'previously', but slightly less formal.

I am in the habit of keeping

Expresses current habit, not past

I had been keeping

Focuses on the duration of the past habit.

I maintained

Uses a single verb to convey the idea of keeping something over time.

I stored

Emphasizes the action of storing.

FAQs

How can I use "I used to keep" in a sentence?

Use "I used to keep" to describe something you regularly stored, maintained, or possessed in the past but no longer do. For example, "I used to keep a diary" indicates that you regularly kept a diary in the past, but you no longer do.

What are some alternatives to "I used to keep"?

You can use alternatives like "I once kept", "I formerly kept", or "I had a habit of keeping" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I used to kept"?

No, "I used to kept" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "I used to keep". The auxiliary verb 'used to' already indicates the past tense, so the main verb 'keep' should be in its base form.

What's the difference between "I used to keep" and "I am used to keeping"?

"I used to keep" describes a past habit or routine that you no longer follow. "I am used to keeping" means you are accustomed or acclimated to keeping something, implying a present state of being comfortable with the practice.