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Thread: using used to?

  1. #1
    nathesh2011 is offline Newbie
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    Default using used to?

    Can we use " used to" in negative sentences?


    I was not used to drive a big car?
    Or should we say: I was not habituated to drive a big car?

  2. #2
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    Default Re: using used to?

    Quote Originally Posted by nathesh2011 View Post
    Can we use " used to" in negative sentences?


    I was not used to drive a big car?
    Or should we say: I was not habituated to drive a big car?
    "I wasn't used to driving a big car" is fine.

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    emsr2d2 is offline VIP Member
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    Default Re: using used to?

    Quote Originally Posted by nathesh2011 View Post
    Can we use " used to" in negative sentences?


    I was not used to drive a big car?
    Or should we say: I was not habituated to drive a big car?
    We don't say "habituated to".

    It's "used to + verb+ing" regardless of tense.

    I was not used to eating such big meals.
    I am not used to having so much homework.
    He will get used to walking to school.
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    nathesh2011 is offline Newbie
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    Default Re: using used to?

    Quote Originally Posted by emsr2d2 View Post
    We don't say "habituated to".

    It's "used to + verb+ing" regardless of tense.

    I was not used to eating such big meals.
    I am not used to having so much homework.
    He will get used to walking to school.

    Will the above rule hold good for a past habit as in the following sentence?

    I used to read literature when I was a student.

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    5jj
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    Default Re: using used to?

    Quote Originally Posted by nathesh2011 View Post
    Will the above rule hold good for a past habit as in the following sentence?

    I used to read literature when I was a student.
    No. This is a completely different structure.

    The negative is
    "I didn't use to read..."

    You will see some people, incorrectly, write, "I didn't used to read..."

    A few people still say and write, " I used not to read...".
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    emsr2d2 is offline VIP Member
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    Default Re: using used to?

    Remember that "used to" has two different meanings:

    1) To be accustomed to (what you called "habituated to") - always preceded by some version of the verb "to be".
    2) Did in the past

    Do you see the difference between these two similar sentences?

    I am used to reading in the park
    I used to read in the park.

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