1. Write sentences with used to or didn’t use to and the verbs provided.
1) I had a yacht, but I sold it when business failed. (own)
__I used to own a yacht. __
2) I often eat olives now, although I wasn’t keen on them when I was younger. (like)
_________
3) I seem to have lost interest in meeting new people. (enjoy)
_________
4) sister has started visiting art galleries since moving to Paris. (be interested)
_________
5) Now that I’m married, I have less time for football. (play)
_________
6) brother had his hair cut short when he left college. (have)
_________
7) I didn’t really see uncle until he bought a house near ours. (live)
_________
8) husband had a job in Beijing before we lived here. (work)
_________
9) I retired from the university five years ago. (teach)
_________
10) We’ve bought bikes since we moved to the countryside. (cycle)
_________
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Example answers:
2) I didn’t use to like olives.
3) I used to enjoy meeting new people.
4) sister didn’t use to be interested in visiting art galleries.
5) I used to play football more often.
6) brother used to have long hair.
7) uncle didn’t use to live near us.
8) husband used to work in Beijing.
9) I used to teach at the university.
10) We didn’t use to cycle.
2. Choose the correct alternative.
It is sometimes said that there is nothing new in the world of fashion. Annabelle was a well-known model during the seventies. When her granddaughter Zoe was a schoolchild, she (1) was enjoying / used to enjoy looking at granny’s old photo albums. She (2) was finding / found it hard to believe that granny (3) was wearing / used to wear such strange clothes. (4) Did people really use to think / Were people really thinking flared trousers looked good? And those ugly platform shoes! Annabelle (5) was admitting / admitted that people (6) were often falling / often used to fall over because their heels were so high.
When Zoe went to university, however, Annabelle noticed to her amusement that seventies styles (7) were / used to be in fashion again. ‘I (8) planned / was planning to throw all old clothes away,’ she said, ‘but Zoe went to a party last week, and guess what she (9) used to wear / was wearing – that’s right, some of old clothes!’
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2) found 3) used to wear
4) Did people really use to think
5) admitted 6) often used to fall
7) were 8) was planning
9) was wearing
3. Underline the verbs which can be changed to used to (used to work / used to play / used to be etc.) instead of the past simple. If no change is possible, write ‘No change’. Rewrite the sentences with used to where possible.
1) In the winter vacation, Dan worked in a cafe while his friends were skiing.
__In the winter vacation, Dan used to work in a cafe while his friends were skiing. __
2) Theo cycled from Naples to Athens last summer, stopping each night in a different town.
__No change __
3) mother had a favourite handbag which she had bought with her first pay cheque.
________
4) As Lynda was getting out of the boat, her foot slipped and she fell into the river.
________
5) Before the new shopping centre was built, there was a football stadium here.
________
6) Jamie complained that the street wasn’t full of litter until the fast food restaurant opened.
________
7) During our cruise I took several photos of the seabirds which followed the ship.
________
8) While I was waiting for the bus, I noticed a group of tourists who were listening to a guide.
________
9) The music in this club was terrible until they installed a new sound system.
________
10) I spent a lot of time helping with the housework when I was a kid, but sister didn’t help at all.
________
11) The politicians made lots of promises before the election but kept none of them, as usual.
________
Show answers
3) had: mother used to have a favourite handbag which she had bought with her first pay cheque.
4) No change
5) was: Before the new shopping centre was built, there used to be a football stadium here.
6) wasn’t: Jamie complained that the street didn’t use to be full of litter until the fast food restaurant opened.
7) followed: During our cruise I took several photos of the seabirds which used to follow the ship.
8) No change
9) was: The music in this club used to be terrible before they installed a new sound system.
10) spent: I used to spend a lot of time helping with the housework when I was a kid, but sister didn’t use to help at all.
11) No change
4. Write true sentences about yourself with used to or didn’t use to and the words from the box.
cinema computer games friends grandparents
homework jeans music restaurants
1) __I used to go on holiday with parents, but now I go with friends. __
2) __I didn’t use to wear jeans when I was a child. __
3) _____________
4) _____________
5) _____________
6) _____________
7) _____________
8) _____________
Show answers
Example answers:
3) I used to play computer games every day after school.
4) I used to go to the cinema every weekend, but I don’t have time now.
5) I didn’t use to have so much homework at last school.
6) I didn’t use to eat in restaurants, but now I go several times a week.
7) I used to listen to music while I was working, but new boss doesn’t allow it.
8) I used to see grandparents every week when I was younger.
5. Complete the sentences with suitable verbs in the correct form: past simple, past continuous or used to.
1) When did Ellie meet her husband?
I think it was while she ___ was studying __ in the States.
2) What does Warren keep shouting at people?
I don’t know. He ____________ so bad-tempered.
3) How long is it since you ____________ a holiday?
Not since last year.
4) Is the bank shut already?
Yeah, it ____________ open much later than it does now.
5) What were you doing on your phone?
I ____________ some cinema tickets for tomorrow night.
6) Have you ever ridden a motorbike?
Yes, once. But I ____________ off at a roundabout.
7) I didn’t know you understood Italian!
Oh, I ____________ it while I ____________ in Rome
8) How do you know London so well?
Well, I ____________ here.
Show answers
Example answers:
2) didn’t use to be 3) had
4) used to stay 5) was booking/buying
6) fell 7) learnt/learned ___ was working
8) used to live
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