used not to

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "used not to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express an action that does not happen any longer, or something that has changed over time. Example: "I used not to like going to the movies, but now I enjoy it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

These dynamics, Spence told me, are important to understand if we want to develop technologies that are both useful and used — not to mention effective.

The New Yorker

However, this caused extreme controversy between us regarding the kind of ball to be used, not to mention the mechanics of binding and pushing.

The New York Times

That used not to matter much.

The Economist

Campaigns used not to cost so much.

The New Yorker

It used not to be like that.

The Guardian

It used not to be that way.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It used not to be this way.

The Guardian - Books

"I used not to look at women in the niqab.

The New Yorker

Vegetarians and Christmas used not to be a perfect marriage.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She says she used not to care about politics.

The Economist

"It was not to be used, not to hurt anyone," she said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "used not to" to clearly indicate past habits or conditions that have changed, providing context for understanding present circumstances.

Common error

Be careful not to omit the "d" in "used", as "use to" has a different meaning (related to utilizing something) than indicating a past habit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "used not to" functions as a modal auxiliary construction expressing a past state or habit that is no longer true. It is a way of contrasting a past situation with the present. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "used not to" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed construction for expressing past states or habits that no longer hold true. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and useful part of the English language. It's most commonly found in news and media but also appears in encyclopedias and scientific publications. The key is to use it to create a contrast between the past and the present, and to avoid confusing it with "use to". Remember to consider alternative expressions such as "didn't used to" for less formal contexts and ensure that "used" is spelled correctly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

didn't used to

This is a common variant that uses "did" auxiliary verb for negation; slightly more informal.

did not use to

A more formal version of "didn't used to", commonly used in written language.

never used to

Emphasizes that something was never a habit or common occurrence in the past.

formerly didn't

A more formal way of stating that something was not done in the past; commonly used in writing.

it used to be otherwise

Suggests a past situation contrasting with the present one.

once did not

Implies a point in time when an action was not performed or a state did not exist.

that wasn't the case

Expresses that a particular situation or fact was not true in the past.

it was not always like this

Highlights a change from a previous condition or situation.

things were different

A more general statement indicating a change in circumstances.

earlier was not

This indicates that something wasn't true in the past but the meaning is altered.

FAQs

How do I use "used not to" in a sentence?

Use "used not to" to indicate something that was true or habitual in the past but is no longer the case. For example: "I "used not to" like coffee, but now I drink it every morning".

What is the difference between "used to" and "used not to"?

"Used to" indicates a past habit or state, while "used not to" indicates something that was not a past habit or state. For example: "I used to smoke" vs. "I "used not to" smoke".

What can I say instead of "used not to"?

You can use alternatives like "didn't used to" or "did not use to" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the level of formality.

Is it correct to say "didn't used to" or should I always use "did not use to"?

"Didn't used to" is a contraction of "did not use to" and is generally acceptable in informal contexts. "Did not use to" is more formal and suitable for formal writing.