used to check

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "used to check" is a perfectly acceptable and frequently used phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that is done regularly to check for accuracy, progress, or any other specific purpose. For example, "The teacher used to check the students' papers for accuracy each week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I used to check for updates countless times every day.

The Guardian

Micro Raman spectroscopy was used to check the DLC signature.

Surface and Coatings Technology

I used to check people's bags out on the curb.

The New York Times

It can also be used to check for chromosomal abnormalities associated with early miscarriage.

The New York Times - Health

It can also be used to check on pets or plants while an owner is away.

The New York Times - Tech

In some cities, bomb-sniffing dogs were used to check facilities.

The New York Times - Sports

A variety of reference sources are used to check a celebrant's details.

The Guardian - Opinion

I used to check it every day to see if they had set a trap.

The Guardian - Tech

I didn't know them personally but I used to check their scores on Ceefax.

The Guardian - Sport

Supervised training based on k-fold cross validation was used to check the ANN generalization.

Measurement

56 data have been used to check generalization capability of the best trained ANN.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing past habits, ensure the context clearly indicates the period during which you "used to check". For example, "Before the automation, I "used to check" the logs manually every day."

Common error

Avoid using "used to check" when you mean "use" as in employ, utilize or take advantage of; "used to" indicates a past habit or state that is no longer true, for example: "I "used to check" the weather forecast daily, but now I have an app that does it for me."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "used to check" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past habitual action. It's used to describe something that was done regularly in the past but is no longer a current practice. Ludwig AI confirms its regular use in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "used to check" is a common verb phrase used to describe past habits or routines that are no longer practiced. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and understandable in various contexts. While often found in news and media and scientific writing, as seen across examples from sources like The Guardian and ScienceDirect, it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the context clearly indicates the past habitual nature of the action being described. Remember to avoid confusing it with the present tense use of "use", as "used to" specifically refers to discontinued habits.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would always check

Past habit to check regularly

use to validate

Past habit to validate.

accustomed to verifying

Emphasizes a habitual action of verifying something.

in the habit of inspecting

Highlights the routine nature of inspecting.

regularly inspected

Focuses on the regular action of inspection.

would routinely examine

Indicates a past routine of examining something.

typically scrutinize

Suggests a thorough and careful examination.

had a tendency to review

Implies a past inclination to review.

made it a point to validate

Highlights the deliberate effort to validate.

made a practice of confirming

Focuses on establishing a routine of confirming.

FAQs

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

Use "used to check" to describe a past habit or repeated action that is no longer performed, for example: "I "used to check" the mailbox every day when I was expecting a letter".

What's the difference between "used to check" and "use to check"?

"Used to check" is the correct form for expressing a past habit. "Use to check" without the 'd' is grammatically incorrect.

What are some alternatives to "used to check"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "would routinely examine", "accustomed to verifying", or "in the habit of inspecting".

Is "used to check" formal or informal?

"Used to check" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional writing.