Used to

I used to go swimming every morning.

1. Pronouncing used in used to.

Do you pronounce the d /d/ in used to, or just the /t/ of to? Listen to two sentences, and then choose /d/ if you hear the d, or choose /t/ if you don't hear it.

  1. Another thing we used to do was skateboarding.
  2. We used to do it several times a week.

2. Pronouncing to in used to.

Is the to in used to pronounced /tu:/ or /tə/ in the sentences below? Listen to hear the difference:

/tu:/       /tə/

Now listen and decide which sound you hear in each sentence: /tu:/ or /tə/?

3. Practise pronouncing to in used to.

Complete the rule for how the to in used to is pronounced.

Now practise saying used to. Listen to and repeat the sentences.

  1. Another thing we used to do was skateboarding.
  2. I used to go swimming every morning.
  3. She didn't use to eat fruit.
  4. I don't smoke now. I used to, but I gave up.

4. Used to or usually?

We use used to to talk about a finished habit or state in the past. In the present, the adverb usually is often used.

Listen to the sentences. Are they about the past or the present? Do you hear used to or usually?

5. Listen and repeat.

Listen again and practise the sentences. Try speaking at the same speed as the recording.

1. I used to have a lot of free time.
2. I usually go to the cinema on Saturday nights.
3. I used to arrive home very late.
4. I usually cycle to work.
5. I usually eat a sandwich for lunch.
6. I used to spend all day on the phone.