Meaning
用法解释：
- 用法：“I used to” 后面接动词原形，表示过去的习惯或状态。例如，“I used to play basketball” 意思是“我过去常常打篮球（现在不打了）”。
- 否定形式：否定形式是“I didn’t use to” 或 “I never used to”，表示过去没有某个习惯。例如，“I didn’t use to like coffee” 意思是“我过去不喜欢咖啡（现在可能喜欢）”。
- 疑问形式：疑问形式可以是“Did you use to…?”，用于询问对方过去的习惯。例如，“Did you use to live in Beijing?” 意思是“你过去住在北京吗？”
通过使用“I used to”，我们能够清晰地表达出生活中已经发生变化的事物和行为。这种表达方式在谈论过去与现在的对比时特别有用。
Today's Sentences
- I used to live in New York.
- I used to develop websites.
- I used to play in an indie band.
- I used to smoke a pack a day.
- I used to teach digital music composition.
- Writer's Note
01
I used to live in New York.
Situation 1
So tell me about yourself.
Well, I used to live in New York.
That’s amazing.
Did you enjoy living there?
你喜欢住在那里吗？
The culture was my favorite part of living in NYC.
Situation 2
How do you know so much about green spaces?
I used to live in New York and they have some of the most creative green spaces.
I’d love to hear about any ideas you have.
Sure. I’ll present some ideas during the meeting.
02
I used to develop websites.
Situation 1
Wow, this website is well designed.
Great job!
做得好！
I used to develop websites.
It shows.
Your design is very simple but fresh and I love the clear calls to action.
您的设计非常简单但又新颖，我非常喜欢其中明确的行动号召。
Thanks!
Situation 2
I don’t know what else to do to promote my business online.
Have you thought about making a website?
Do you think that would help with marketing?
Websites are a powerful tool for marketing.
I used to develop websites, so I can help you.
我曾经开发过网站，所以我可以帮助您。
03
I used to play in an indie band.
Situation 1
Teach me that chord progression?
Sure.
How do you know how to play all these songs?
I used to play in an indie band.
Situation 2
I think we should take a break right before the chorus.
Great idea.
How did you know that would sound good?
你怎么知道这样听起来会不错呢？
I used to play in an indie band.
Thanks for your input.
04
I used to smoke a pack a day.
Situation 1
I wish I could quit smoking.
I feel your pain.
I used to smoke a pack a day.
我以前每天抽一包烟。
Really?
But I’ve never seen you smoke.
但是我从来没见过你抽烟。
I quit last year but I still get cravings.
Situation 2
What’s the most you ever smoked?
I used to smoke a pack a day.
Really? I should really cut back.
Smoking is an oral fixation and a comfort.
05
I used to teach digital music composition.
Situation 1
What do you think of this melody?
Well, you could jazz it up and use a Dbmaj7 here.
Wow.
That one chord adds color to the melody.
那个和弦为旋律增添了色彩。
I used to teach digital music composition.
Situation 2
So what did you do before becoming a surfer?
I used to teach digital music composition.
You did? That’s cool.
I don’t miss the classroom at all though.
Writer's Note
"Used to" refers to actions and situations in the past which no longer happen or are no longer true. It always refers to the past.
- I'm used to traveling alone.
- She used to work long shift hours.
- He used to live in London.
- They used to play in a rock band.
- We used to sing in an a cappella group.
The negative of "used to" is most commonly "didn’t use to". You may see "didn't used to" but we don't recommend it in the negative.
- He didn't use to be so cranky.
- I didn't use to enjoy vegetables when I was younger.
- It didn't use to be so crowded at the markets.
Leave us a comment if you need to practice, or just to say hi!
