How to say “I used to” like a native speaker
Describe a past habit or situation that is no longer true. Follow it with the base form of a verb.
All phrases · Workplace
Hear “I used to” in real speech
Clip 1 · Sir Ken Robinson
Do schools kill creativity? | Sir Ken Robinson | TED · 10:00
About this video
Ken Robinson asks whether schools give creativity enough room. He discusses different forms of human ability and questions an education system that he says places university professors at the top.
In context
They're the people who come out the top.And I used to be one, so there.
And I like university professors, but, you know, we shouldn't hold them up as the high-water mark of all human achievement.
Clip 2 · BBC Learning English
When is it OK to complain? ☝️😠 | Practise your listening skills with Real Easy English · 4:31
About this video
Neil and Georgie discuss when it is reasonable to complain in this BBC Learning English conversation. Neil describes concerns about accommodation he booked after its reviews changed.
In context
I don't think he liked it very much.Well, I used to work in restaurants.
I've also worked in customer service, but in restaurants, if people have a reason to complain,
Clip 3 · Malcolm Gladwell
The Tipping Point I Got Wrong | Malcolm Gladwell | TED · 1:50
About this video
Malcolm Gladwell revisits an explanation of crime that he gave in The Tipping Point. He starts with his memories of moving to New York in 1993 and discusses later expectations about crime and policing.
In context
And I remember one day -- I used to go to the NYU, New York University has a library called Bobst Library.I used to go to Bobst to look for ideas.
And I remember one day I was on the sixth floor in the sociology section,
When to use “I used to”
- Comparing past and present homes: “I used to live near the station.”
- Describing a former habit: “I used to play football every Saturday.”
Common learner mistake
“I used to work nights” describes a past habit; “I'm used to working nights” means it feels familiar now.
Possible connected-speech patterns in “I used to”
“Used to” has an S sound in this past-habit construction. The consonants can compress into a short “yoo-stuh” sound.
Related phrases
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A slow line to begin with: listen to how “don’t need to” runs together, then say it at the speaker’s pace.
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