Question tag — He used only to play football...

[man of manners]

Hi!
This is a new thread in which we will discuss some problematic sentences that need suitable question tags.
The sentence is:

He used only to play football, ..............?

Thanks in advance!

 

[man of manners]

I think the question tag is, theoretically not practically, "usedn't he?" because as we can see, the adverb "only" is used after the verb, which indicates it is used as a modal verb.

 

[man of manners]

though your sentence has it in an an unusual position.

That is because we don't use adverbs after verbs except modal/semi-modal verbs. Since we used an adverb after a verb, this means it is a modal verb. Also, since "used to" can be an ordinary verb or a semi-modal, we know in this sentence that it is used as a modal.

I don't think I have ever heard anyone say usedn't he?

This is because it is not used except in formal or old-fashioned contexts.

 

[GoesStation]

I don't think I have ever heard anyone say usedn't he?

This is because it is not used except in formal or old-fashioned contexts.

No. It's because usedn't he doesn't exist in English. Nobody would dream of saying it under any circumstances.

 

[man of manners]

No. It's because usedn't he doesn't exist in English. Nobody would dream of saying it under any circumstances.

I forgot to say that "usedn't" doesn't exist in American English. It is only used in Br.E.

Used to is never an 'ordinary verb'.

Oh, that's actually correct. "Used to" is, originally, a modal verb but it is nowadays used just like an ordinary verb. That's why speakers never use "usedn't to".

I doubt if it is ever used, even in formal contexts, these days.

I do agree, but it can be used, in a special occasion, to give an old-fashioned flavour to one's speech or written work.