English Speaking Practice | English Speaking Course | English Guru | Madan Sharma | Use of Used to

Summary

In this English tutorial, Modern Sama explains the usage of 'used to' for describing past habitual actions. The video covers the structure of affirmative, negative, and question sentences using 'used to', with multiple examples such as 'We used to drink alcohol' and 'Did you use to cry a lot?' Viewers are encouraged to practice forming sentences and make use of this structure in everyday conversation. The lesson also includes a simple homework task to help reinforce learning and build confidence. Perfect for learners wanting to improve their understanding of past habits in English.

Takeaways

• 😀 The phrase 'used to' is used to describe past habits or situations that no longer occur in the present.
• 😀 The basic structure for forming positive sentences with 'used to' is: Subject + used to + base verb + object.
• 😀 To make negative sentences, use the structure: Subject + did not + use to + base verb + object.
• 😀 For questions, use the structure: Did + subject + use to + base verb + object?
• 😀 'Used to' can be used to talk about repeated actions or conditions in the past, like 'We used to drink alcohol.'
• 😀 The negative form of 'used to' helps express what someone did not do in the past, e.g., 'I did not use to smoke.'
• 😀 The question form of 'used to' is used to inquire about past habits, e.g., 'Did you use to play football?'
• 😀 Always remember that after 'did not' (or 'didn't'), the verb should be in its base form (e.g., 'play,' 'cry').
• 😀 The video encourages practice by asking viewers to make sentences using 'used to' and suggests doing so aloud to build confidence.
• 😀 The homework task involves answering 'used to' questions in both affirmative and negative forms, and making 10-20 sentences for practice.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the tutorial video?

The main topic of the tutorial video is the use of 'used to' in English grammar, specifically focusing on its structure and how it is used to describe past actions or habits.

How do you form a positive sentence using 'used to'?

A positive sentence using 'used to' is formed by following the structure: Subject + used to + base verb + object. For example: 'We used to drink alcohol.'

What is the structure for negative sentences with 'used to'?

For negative sentences, the structure is: Subject + did not + use to + base verb + object. For example: 'They did not use to cry a lot.'

How do you form questions using 'used to'?

To form a question using 'used to,' the structure is: Did + subject + use to + base verb + object? For example: 'Did he use to smoke cigarettes?'

Can 'used to' be used for both present and past actions?

'Used to' is specifically used to describe past actions, habits, or states that no longer exist or happen. It is not used for present actions.

Give an example of a sentence where 'used to' describes a past habit.

An example is: 'She used to cry a lot when she was younger.' This sentence talks about a past habit that no longer occurs.

How does 'used to' differ from 'didn't use to'?

'Used to' refers to actions or habits that happened regularly in the past, while 'didn't use to' refers to actions or habits that did not happen in the past. For example: 'I used to play football' vs. 'I didn't use to play football.'

What is the significance of the verb 'use to' in negative sentences?

In negative sentences, 'use to' is replaced by 'did not use to.' This is because the auxiliary verb 'did' already carries the past tense, making 'used to' incorrect in negative constructions.

What role does practice play in mastering the use of 'used to'?

Practicing aloud is crucial for mastering the use of 'used to,' as it helps build confidence and fluency in constructing sentences in both affirmative, negative, and question forms.

What is the primary lesson the tutorial aims to convey about 'used to'?

The primary lesson is that 'used to' is an important grammatical structure for expressing past habits or states, and learners should focus on practicing its positive, negative, and question forms to gain fluency.