English grammar
Used to: things that changed
Describe a famous sight: how old, how famous, and what it used to be.
From the scene The Giralda is beautiful
In short
Use used to + base verb for a past state or habit that has stopped: it used to be a mosque.
Your turn
Which one goes with a past habit?
Options: from the twelfth century · people used to ride horses up it · it used to be part of a mosque (not "use to be")
Show answer
a past habit → people used to ride horses up it
How it works
Used to + base verb talks about a past state or habit that isn't true any more.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Look at the Giralda! It's (blank).
Options: beauty · beautiful · beautifully
Show answer
Look at the Giralda! It's beautiful.
¡Mira la Giralda! Es preciosa.
Good to know
It used to be part of a mosque, people used to ride horses up it. It's the same for everyone.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Shall we go in? It's the (blank) Gothic cathedral in the world.
Options: more big · biggest · big
Show answer
Shall we go in? It's the biggest Gothic cathedral in the world.
¿Entramos? Es la catedral gótica más grande del mundo.
Good to know
In statements, keep the d: it used to be, not "it use to be".
a past state it used to be part of a mosque (not "use to be")
Javi
It used to be part of a mosque, did you know?
Antes era parte de una mezquita, ¿sabían?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), did you know?
Options: People used to ride horses up it · From the twelfth century · It used to be part of a mosque
Show answer
Javi
It used to be part of a mosque, did you know?
Antes era parte de una mezquita, ¿sabían?
a past habit people used to ride horses up it
Nuria
And people used to ride horses up it!
¡Y antes la gente subía a caballo!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And (blank)!
Options: it used to be part of a mosque · from the twelfth century · people used to ride horses up it
Show answer
Nuria
And people used to ride horses up it!
¡Y antes la gente subía a caballo!
how old from the twelfth century
Javi
Yes, it's very old. From the twelfth century.
Sí, es muy antigua. Del siglo doce.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Yes, it's very old. (blank).
Options: People used to ride horses up it · From the twelfth century · It used to be part of a mosque
Show answer
Javi
Yes, it's very old. From the twelfth century.
Sí, es muy antigua. Del siglo doce.
comparing ages older than me
Elena
From the twelfth century? It’s older than me!
¿Del siglo doce? ¡Es más antigua que yo!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
From the twelfth century? It’s (blank)!
Options: people used to ride horses up it · older than me · it used to be part of a mosque
Show answer
Elena
From the twelfth century? It’s older than me!
¿Del siglo doce? ¡Es más antigua que yo!
Common mistake
Not uses to or use to here. A past state that has changed: fixed past form + base verb.
It used to be part of a mosque, did you know?
Antes era parte de una mezquita, ¿sabían?
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 state | it used to be part of a mosque (not "use to be") |
|---|---|
| a past habit | people used to ride horses up it |
| how old | from the twelfth century |
| comparing ages | older than me |
More lines from the story
- NuriaLook at the Giralda! It's beautiful.¡Mira la Giralda! Es preciosa.
- JaviShall we go in? It's the biggest Gothic cathedral in the world.¿Entramos? Es la catedral gótica más grande del mundo.