used to work

USAGE SUMMARY

"used to work" is correct and can be used in written English to describe the past habitual action or state of a person or thing.
Example: She used to work as an accountant in a big firm.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It used to work.

The New Yorker

"That used to work.

The New York Times

I'm used to work".

The New York Times - Sports

This used to work.

The Guardian - Opinion

Before, everyone used to work the land.

Independent

They used to work without a harness.

The New York Times

I used to work very long hours.

The New York Times

Both used to work 80-hour weeks.

The New York Times

Koo used to work for Prada.

The New Yorker

My father used to work there.

The New Yorker

Such arguments used to work very well.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "used to work" to clearly indicate a past habit or state that is no longer true. This helps avoid ambiguity about the current status.

Common error

Avoid omitting the 'd' in "used to work". "Use to work" is grammatically incorrect. Always remember the past tense marker 'd' to ensure clarity and correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "used to work" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a past habit, state, or action that is no longer true in the present. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, and examples show its application in describing past employment or routines.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "used to work" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to describe a past habit or state that no longer exists. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suggests that it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. When writing, ensure you include the 'd' to avoid grammatical errors. For alternatives, you can use phrases like "previously worked" or "formerly employed" to convey similar meanings with slight differences in formality and emphasis. This summary encapsulates the phrase's functionality, communicative purpose, and common usage, drawing insights from the provided examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

once worked

Simple and direct, indicating a past instance of working.

previously worked

Focuses more on the chronological order and less on the habitual aspect.

used to be employed

More formal and emphasizes the state of being employed.

was formerly employed

Highly formal and highlights a past employment status.

at one time worked

Emphasizes a specific period in the past when the work occurred.

had a job at

Specifies the type of work with less emphasis on habit.

was accustomed to working

Focuses on the familiarity and routine of the past work.

did work in

Focuses on the action of doing work rather than habitual employment.

spent time working

Highlights the duration of the past work experience.

used to labor

Emphasizes physical effort in past work, less common in modern usage.

FAQs

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

"Used to work" indicates a past habit or state that is no longer true. For example, "I used to work at that company, but now I have my own business."

What are some alternatives to "used to work"?

Alternatives include "previously worked", "formerly employed", or "once worked", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "use to work" instead of "used to work"?

No, "use to work" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "used to work", which includes the past tense marker 'd'.

What is the difference between "used to work" and "worked"?

"Used to work" implies a past habit or state that is no longer true, while "worked" simply indicates that work was done in the past without specifying whether it continues. For example, "I used to work there" means I don't work there now, but "I worked there" doesn't give that information.