Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

Definition of used to modal verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

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used to

modal verb
used to pronunciation English ˈjuːst tə used to pronunciation American ˈjuːst tə
before vowels and finallyused to pronunciation English ˈjuːst tu used to pronunciation American ˈjuːst tu
negative didn't use to
didn't use to pronunciation English dɪdnt ˈjuːs tə didn't use to pronunciation American dɪdnt ˈjuːs tə
before vowels and finallydidn't use to pronunciation English dɪdnt ˈjuːs tu didn't use to pronunciation American dɪdnt ˈjuːs tu
(British English also, old-fashioned or formal used not to short form usedn't to
usedn't to pronunciation English ˈjuːsnt tə usedn't to pronunciation American ˈjuːsnt tə
before vowels and finallyusedn't to pronunciation English ˈjuːsnt tu usedn't to pronunciation American ˈjuːsnt tu
 
used to say that something happened continuously or frequently during a period in the pastI used to live in London.We used to go sailing on the lake in summer.I didn't use to like him much when we were at school.You used to see a lot of her, didn't you?
Usage notesUsage note: modal verbsThe modal verbs are can, could, may, might, must, ought to, shall, should, will and would. Dare, need, have to and used to also share some of the features of modal verbs.Modal verbs have only one form. They have no -ing or -ed forms and do not add -s to the 3rd person singular form: He can speak three languages. ◇ She will try and visit tomorrow.Modal verbs are followed by the infinitive of another verb without to. The exceptions are ought to, have to and used to: You must find a job. ◇ You ought to stop smoking. ◇ I used to smoke but I gave up two years ago.Questions are formed without do/does in the present, or did in the past: Can I invite Mary? ◇ Should I have invited Mary?Negative sentences are formed with not or the short form -n’t and do not use do/does or did.You will find more help with how to use modal verbs at the dictionary entries for each verb.Usage notesUsage note: used to / be used toDo not confuse used to do something with be used to something.You use used to do something to talk about something that happened regularly or was the case in the past, but is not now: I used to smoke, but I gave up a couple of years ago.You use be used to something/to doing something to talk about something that you are familiar with so that it no longer seems new or strange to you: We’re used to the noise from the traffic now. ◇ I’m used to getting up early. You can also use get used to something: Don’t worry — you’ll soon get used to his sense of humour. ◇ I didn’t think I could ever get used to living in a big city after living in the country.Usage notesUsage note: used toExcept in negatives and questions, the correct form is used to: I used to go there every Saturday. ◇ I use to go there every Saturday.To form questions, use did: Did she use to have long hair? Note that the correct spelling is use to, not ‘used to’.The negative form is usually didn’t use to, but in British English this is quite informal and is not usually used in writing.The negative form used not to (rather formal) and the question form used you to…? (old-fashioned and very formal) are only used in British English, usually in writing.