1. Present and Past Habits
Usually and Used to
EF Intermediate 5B

2. Present Habits
• Usually
For present habits we can use usually or
normally + present simple
I usually get up at seven
She normally works in the garden every Sunday

3. Past Habits
• For past habits we use the past simple, or
used to/didn’t use to + infinitive
We used to go to France for our holidays when I
was a child
He didn’t use to do any exercise as a child, but
now he runs marathons.

4. Used to/didn’t use to + inf
• We use used to for things that were true over a
period of time in the past.
• Used to often refers to something which is not
true now.
We used to be friends, but we don’t talk to each
other any more.
• Any more/any longer (=not now) are often used in
the present simple clause to contrast with used to

5. Used to/didn’t use to + inf
• Used to/didn’t use to can be used with both action
and non-action verbs.
I used to be a good guitar player, but I can’t play a
note any more
I didn’t use to like motorbikes, but I run a motorbike
shop now.

6. Past habits: past simple vs used to
• We can also use the past simple to describe past
habits (often with an adverb of frequency)
I lived in the city centre until I got married
I used to live in the city centre until I got married
We (often) went to France on holiday when I was little
We used to go to France on holiday when I was little

7. Past habits: past simple vs used to
• If the action happened only once or we mention exact
dates or numbers, we have to use past simple
I went to Paris last year
I used to go to Paris last year
Jack caught the train to Paris 4 times last week
Jack used to to catch the train to Paris 4 times last week

8. Present vs Past Habits
• DO NOT use use to (in the present) to speak about
present habits. Use usually/normally
I use to get up at 6:40 every day
I usually get up at 6:40 every day

9. be used to/get used to
• Don’t confuse used to/didn’t use to + infinitive with
be used to/get used to + gerund
I used to get up early every day when I was a child
I’m used to getting up early every day (I’m accustomed
to it. I always do it so it’s not a problem for me)
I can’t get used to getting up early to work again after
the holiday (I’m not accustomed now, it’s a problem for
me)