the negative pattern of 'used to'

[enydia]

Hi, everyone.

Does "usedn't to" mean "never" or "not frequently"? Take the following sentence for example:
He usedn't to go there.
Dose this sentence means "he never went there" or "he didn't go there frequently"?

Thanks in advance.

Enydia

[banderas]

Originally Posted by enydia

Hi, everyone.

Does "usedn't to" mean "never" or "not frequently"? Take the following sentence for example:
He usedn't to go there.
Dose this sentence means "he never went there" or "he didn't go there frequently"?It means he did not have a habit to go there. He did not have a habit to do it often and regularly in the past.

Thanks in advance.

Enydia

I used to go...
I did not use to go...
We do not say : Usedn' t.

[enydia]

Originally Posted by banderas

I used to go...
I did not use to go...
We do not say : Usedn' t.

Hi, banderas.

Thank you for your reply.

The following information is from OLAD entry for "used":

The following negative and question patterns are old-fashioned or very formal : I usedn't to like her. Used you to go there? There used to be a cinema here, use(d)n't there? Most people now use patterns with did, especially when speaking or writing informally : I didn't use to like her. Did you use to go there? There used to be a cinema here, didn't there?

[rj1948]

Used to
Negative-used not to---I used not to think so .Did not use to -incorrect.
Didn't you use to live in Bangalore?correct

[banderas]

Originally Posted by enydia

Hi, banderas.

Thank you for your reply.


The following information is from OLAD entry for "used":

The following negative and question patterns are old-fashioned or very formal : I usedn't to like her. Used you to go there? There used to be a cinema here, use(d)n't there? Most people now use patterns with did, especially when speaking or writing informally : I didn't use to like her. Did you use to go there? There used to be a cinema here, didn't there?

If you would like to sound old-fashioned or very formal, feel free to to say "usedn't". I personally see it as a mistake and suggest that you use the usual way of making used to negative with didn't. I believe most people do so.

[naomimalan]

Originally Posted by banderas

If you would like to sound old-fashioned or very formal, feel free to to say "usedn't". I personally see it as a mistake and suggest that you use the usual way of making used to negative with didn't. I believe most people do so.

I agree Banderas, though I mightn't go so far as to call 'usedn't to' (or 'used not to' for that matter)a mistake yet. In a few decades' time it may be considered a mistake but so far I'd say it's still acceptable even though, as you say, it sounds old-fashioned or (for 'used not to' in any case)very formal.

I think in formal written English "used not to" (not 'usedn't to') still prevails.