Common mistake Missing past tense for 'used to...'

Missing past tense for 'used to...'

One common mistake in English grammar is the incorrect usage of "used to" when referring to past habits or actions. Often, people leave out the past tense form of the verb, which is essential for conveying the intended meaning.

Using 'used to' for past habits

When talking about actions that happened regularly or habitually in the past, it is crucial to use the past tense form of the verb. This is done by adding "-ed" to regular verbs or using the correct irregular past tense form. For example:

Incorrect: I use to play soccer when I was a child.
Correct: I used to play soccer when I was a child.

In the correct example above, the past tense form "used" is used to indicate that playing soccer was a regular habit in the past.

Using 'used to' to mean 'accustomed to'

Another common meaning of "used to" is to express being accustomed to something. Again, this requires using the past tense form of the verb. Here's an example:

Incorrect: She use to living in the city.
Correct: She used to live in the city.

By using the past tense form "used," the correct sentence conveys that she was accustomed to living in the city.

It's worth noting that the phrase "used to" to talk about past habits is different from "get used to," which expresses the process of becoming accustomed to something in the present or future.

Linguix grammar checker can help you avoid these common mistakes and ensure that your writing is grammatically correct. Try it today and improve your English grammar!

Missing past tense for 'used to...' mistake examples

Correct:
It can be used to save lives
Correct:
Tom didn't use to drink so much.
Correct:
That is the term that futurists use to describe a potentially cataclysmic point.
Incorrect:
He use to believe this.

Correct:
He used to believe this.
Incorrect:
I use to own a 2011 Sienna.

Correct:
I used to own a 2011 Sienna.
Incorrect:
Where can I find all those other apps that use to be available?

Correct:
Where can I find all those other apps that used to be available?
Correct:
This could set a dangerous precedent that they would surely use to target other journalists.
Correct:
What language did you use to communicate?
Correct:
Did you use to drink a lot?
Correct:
Please read the terms of use to understand our legal requirements.
Correct:
What language do you two use to communicate?
Correct:
Set the languages you usually use to write texts.
Correct:
A good use to make use of the extra veggies you have is to make a frittata.
Correct:
This is a process doctors use to educate their patients.
Correct:
What would you use to explore this sort of thing?
Correct:
A massive rocket that the space agency wants to use to return humans to the moon.
Correct:
Which things would you use to describe this chemical formula?
Correct:
Did Tom use to play hooky?
Correct:
How often did the neighbour's unruly children use to skip school?
Correct:
This is the laptop that I use to code on.
Correct:
...by some methanogenic archaea in enzymes that they use to produce methane.
Correct:
The modern presidential campaign begins before the primary elections, which the two major political parties use to clear the field of candidates before their national nominating conventions.
Correct:
Didn't you use to be a teacher?
Correct:
Which would you ever use to become better?
Correct:
Which I'd really use to become better.
Correct:
6 processes weak use to increase PF
Correct:
But no matter which channel you use to polish your texts, LanguageTool always guarantees you a high-quality spelling and grammar check.
Correct:
It's no use to complain
Correct:
... and its use to keep us safe
Correct:
This works with everything you use to control your lights, Dimmers, Alexa, etc.
Correct:
Pressed an axle - no idea the length or diameter or whatever you use to measure it, or the weight, but it was a lot of fun.
Correct:
Which options can I use to pay?
Correct:
Which options can our customers use to pay?
Correct:
What rental options can our new customers use to drive a car?

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