English grammar
Used to for habits, simple past for one time
Contrast a habit in the past with one specific event.
From the scene Once / every day
In short
Use used to for a past habit that is over, and the past simple for one event. For habits now, say usually.
Your turn
Which one goes with a past state: was / were?
Options: every day I used to leave · that day … disappeared (NOT "used to disappear") · they were always there
Show answer
a past state: was / were → they were always there
How it works
Used to + verb is a past habit that is now over: I used to leave my mangoes there.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
And the strawberries she (blank) every day?
Options: was used to take · used to take · use to take
Show answer
And the strawberries she used to take every day?
¿Y las fresas que cogía todos los días?
Good to know
For one specific event, use the simple past: that day a crate disappeared.
Good to know
Used to is only for the past: for a habit now, say I usually, NOT "I use to". Don't confuse it with be used to, which means be accustomed to.
a past habit: used to every day I used to leave
Tomás
Every day I used to leave my mangoes there.
Todos los días dejaba mis mangos en el puesto.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) my mangoes there.
Options: They were always there · That day disappeared · Every day I used to leave
Show answer
Tomás
Every day I used to leave my mangoes there.
Todos los días dejaba mis mangos en el puesto.
a past state: was / were they were always there
Nuria
And they were always there in the morning?
¿Y siempre estaban allí por la mañana?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And (blank) in the morning?
Options: they were always there · every day I used to leave · that day disappeared
Show answer
Nuria
And they were always there in the morning?
¿Y siempre estaban allí por la mañana?
one event: past simple that day … disappeared (NOT "used to disappear")
one time: once + past simple once someone stole
Tomás
Well... once someone stole a melon from me.
Bueno... una vez alguien me robó un melón.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Well... (blank) a melon from me.
Options: they were always there · once someone stole · every day I used to leave
Show answer
Tomás
Well... once someone stole a melon from me.
Bueno... una vez alguien me robó un melón.
a habit now: usually I usually leave them (NOT "I use to")
Common mistake
Not Every days or Used to here. One specific event — not used to.
That day, a whole crate disappeared.
Aquel día, desapareció una caja entera.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| a past habit: used to | every day I used to leave |
|---|---|
| a past state: was / were | they were always there |
| one event: past simple | that day … disappeared (NOT "used to disappear") |
| one time: once + past simple | once someone stole |
| a habit now: usually | I usually leave them (NOT "I use to") |
More lines from the story
- TomásThat day, a whole crate disappeared.Aquel día, desapareció una caja entera.
- NuriaAnd the strawberries she used to take every day?¿Y las fresas que cogía todos los días?
- TomásDoña Elena. She said she wanted to taste it.Doña Elena. Dijo que era para probarlo.