used to do sth. 表示“过去常常做某事”,只表示过去,不可指现在或将来;否定式为didn't use to do sth.,也可用used not to do sth.或usedn't to do sth.,读作[′juːsnt];一般疑问句,可以把used放在句首,或用助动词did,反意疑问句的附加问句用did或used。
She used to see him last year. 她去年常见到他。
He used not to live in this city. 他过去不住在这个城市里。
He didn't use to be so thin. 他过去不这么瘦。
There used to be a green field there; now there's a supermarket. 过去那儿是一片绿色的田野,现在是超级市场。
Did you use to play the piano? 你过去弹钢琴吗?
Used you to know her? 你过去认识她吗?
There used to be a tree here, didn't there? 这里从前有一棵树,是吗?
You used to swim in summer, usedn't you? 从前你夏天游泳,不是吗?
There used to be a church to the south of the village. 村庄的南面从前有一个教堂。
There used to be few people who were willing to do this sort of job. 过去很少有人愿意干这一行。