'Did you use to...' implies?

[Heidi]

Dear friends,

Please help me with this question: when I ask somebody 'did you use to be a teacher?', I must have known that he or she isn't a teacher now, otherwise it is inappropriate to ask this question?

Is it true for all similar questions? 'Did you use to live in Taiwan?' implying that I know you don't live in Taiwan at the moment of speaking?

Thank you!

[5jj]

Please help me with this question: when I ask somebody 'did you use to be a teacher?', I must have known that he or she isn't a teacher now, otherwise it is inappropriate to ask this question?
Yes, unless you are being sarcastic about a teacher who is, in your opinion, past their best.

Is it true for all similar questions? 'Did you use to live in Taiwan?' implying that I know you don't live in Taiwan at the moment of speaking? Yes

5

[Heidi]

Thank you, 5jj!

[BobK]

The point it that there is the possibility of irony in the choice of this tense. What it means, on the surface, is 'I know you are not any more'; in fact, if the supposition is wrong, the answer may correct it:

Q: 'Did you use to be a teacher?'
A: '["Use to?"] I still am one.' (The echoing of the question is optional).

Ironical usage is common. Say someone, in a group in a restaurant, divides the tab quickly and accurately. Someone else might ask 'Did you use to be an accountant?'

b

[Heidi]

The point it that there is the possibility of irony in the choice of this tense. What it means, on the surface, is 'I know you are not any more'; in fact, if the supposition is wrong, the answer may correct it:

Q: 'Did you use to be a teacher?'
A: '["Use to?"] I still am one.' (The echoing of the question is optional).

Ironical usage is common. Say someone, in a group in a restaurant, divides the tab quickly and accurately. Someone else might ask 'Did you use to be an accountant?'

b

Thanks a lot, teachers! I didn't expect this ironical usage. (sorry, I'm not sure if I have used the word 'expect' correctly. If I made a mistake, please do correct it for me! I mean I didn't even know there is such an ironical usage of the structure 'did you use to be...' )

[SanMar]

Hi,
Is it use to or used to?


Thanks:)

[5jj]

Is it use to or used to?

Purists argue that it should be (1) used you to...? though you will rarely hear or see that form.

(2) Did you use to ...? is generally accepted as correct.

(3) Did you used to....? is incorrect, but you occasionally see it in print.

It is difficult to tell whether people use (3) in speech, because it sounds the same as (2).

[5jj]

Thanks a lot, teachers! I didn't expect this ironical usage. (sorry, I'm not sure if I have used the word 'expect' correctly. If I made a mistake, please do correct it for me!

You used the word 'expect' correctly.

Please do not worry about the ironical usage. It might have been better if I had not mentioned it; I was just trying to cover all possibilities.

[Heidi]

You used the word 'expect' correctly.Thanks!

It might have been better if I had not mentioned it; I was just trying to cover all possibilities. No, I think that is great and I appreciate it. I always want to know something new, interesting and humorous. Thanks again!

Heidi

[BobK]

(Strictly, 'I didn't know there was...')

'I didn't expect...' doesn't really work there, as I expect you guessed! You could say:

• I didn't know
• I never knew
• I'd never've guessed ['never have', but it's usually elided]
• That's a new one on me [very colloquial, especially if you use 'on'. Some teachers would prefer 'for' or 'to']
• That's a new one.
• ... [ Several other possibilities. I'm sure people will add a few.]

b