used to

USAGE SUMMARY

"used to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that happened in the past but does not happen now. For example, "I used to live in London, but now I live in New York."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Boy, I used to!

Forbes

I'm used to winning.

The New York Times - Sports

"He's used to colder".

The New Yorker

He used to be.

The New Yorker

He used to.

The New Yorker

They used to be.

The New York Times

Like we used to".

The New Yorker

It used to work.

The New Yorker

Well, it used to.

The Economist

I used to.

The New Yorker

(It used to happen).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "used to" to describe past habits or states that are no longer true. For example, "I used to play the piano, but I don't anymore."

Common error

Avoid writing "use to" when describing a past habit. The correct form is "used to". For example, write "I used to go there", not "I use to go there".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "used to" functions as a modal auxiliary verb used to indicate a past habit or state that is no longer true in the present. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English, providing numerous examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "used to" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe past habits or states that are no longer true. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, including News & Media and Formal & Business settings. While it maintains a neutral register, it's important to remember that the correct form is "used to", not "use to", when indicating a past habit. Consider using alternatives like "was accustomed to" or "formerly" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was accustomed to

Replaces "used to" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing past familiarity or habit.

formerly

Indicates a previous state or condition that has changed, offering a more formal tone.

had a habit of

Focuses on the habitual nature of the past action, differing slightly in emphasis.

was in the habit of

Similar to "had a habit of", this phrase underscores the routine aspect of the past action.

would often

Emphasizes the frequency of the past action, providing a similar but less direct alternative.

once did

Highlights a past action that is no longer performed, offering a concise alternative.

at one time

Implies that something was true or happened at a certain period in the past, but not now.

previously

A single-word adverb that indicates a state or action existed at an earlier time.

in the past

A general phrase indicating a time before the present, less specific than "used to".

earlier

Refers to a time before the present, similar to "in the past" but more concise.

FAQs

How do I use "used to" in a sentence?

"Used to" describes past habits or states that are no longer true. For example, "She "used to live" in Paris, but now she lives in Rome."

What's the difference between "used to" and "accustomed to"?

"Used to" describes a past habit, while "accustomed to" describes a current state of being familiar or comfortable with something. For instance, "I "used to drink" coffee" vs. "I am "accustomed to drinking" coffee."

Can I use "used to" to describe future actions?

No, "used to" is specifically for describing past actions or states that are no longer true. Use other phrases like "will" or "going to" for future actions.

What can I say instead of "used to" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "was accustomed to" or "had a habit of" to convey a similar meaning.