Used to (Раньше)
The expression Used to is a semi-modal verb (or quasi-modal) in English. It is exclusively used to talk about past habits or past states that are no longer true in the present. It expresses something that happened repeatedly or was true for a period in the past, but has now changed or stopped.
It is important not to confuse "used to" with "be used to" (meaning accustomed to) or "get used to" (meaning become accustomed to), which have different meanings and grammatical structures.
Формы Used to
"Used to" is a fixed phrase that always precedes the base form of the main verb. It does not change for person or number.
| Форма | Структура | Пример |
|---|---|---|
| Утвердительная | Подлежащее + used to + Базовый глагол | I used to live in London. She used to play tennis every day. |
| Отрицательная | Подлежащее + did not use to / didn't use to + Базовый глагол (Менее распространено: used not to / usedn't to) |
He didn't use to like vegetables. They used not to go out much. |
| Вопросительные | Did + Подлежащее + use to + Базовый глагол? | Did you use to live here? Did she use to have long hair? |
Использование Used to
"Used to" has specific uses related to past actions and states that no longer hold true.
1. Прошлые привычки / Повторяющиеся действия
This is the primary use of "used to." It describes actions that happened regularly or frequently in the past but do not happen now.
- I used to go swimming every morning. (Теперь я этого не делаю)
- My grandmother used to bake cakes every Sunday. (Она больше этого не делает)
- They used to argue a lot, but now they get along.
2. Прошлые состояния / Ситуации
"Used to" can also describe a past state or situation that was true for a period but is no longer true.
- This building used to be a factory. (Теперь это что-то другое)
- She used to have long hair. (Теперь ее волосы короткие)
- There used to be a cinema on this street. (Сейчас его нет)
- I used to believe in Santa Claus. (Теперь я этого не делаю)
3. Comparison with "Would"
Both "used to" and "would" can describe past habits, but there's a key difference:
- Used to: Может описывать как прошлые привычки (повторяющиеся действия), так и **прошлые состояния**.
- I used to live in Paris. (Состояние)
- I used to play chess every day. (Привычка)
- Would: Может описывать только прошлые привычки (повторяющиеся действия), но **не прошлые состояния**.
- When I was young, I would play chess every day. (Привычка)
- *I would live in Paris. (Неправильно для состояния)
Therefore, "used to" is more versatile for describing the past, especially when talking about conditions or situations that have changed.
4. Отрицательные и вопросительные формы
While "didn't use to" and "did you use to?" are the most common and grammatically standard forms, older or more formal English might use "used not to" or "usedn't to" (especially in British English) for negatives, and "Used you to...?" for questions (very rare now).
- He didn't use to smoke. (Стандартное отрицание)
- Did you use to go to that school? (Стандартный вопрос)