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Perchik's avatar

Phrase: "used to". Is that the correct spelling/usage ?

Asked by Perchik (4997points) July 24th, 2007

I used to go to bed early.

I hear people say this and it doesn't sound awkward, but reading it is another issue. When I see it typed out it looks funny. So. Is the phrase "used to" being used correctly?

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7 Answers

mirza's avatar

It looks and sound sunny but is grammatically correct.
for example "Jon and I went to the park" sounds weird but is perfect correct in terms of grammar

Perchik's avatar

well "went" conveys motion... "used" as the past tense of "use" has nothing to do with a previous state of being...(if that made sense)

mirza's avatar

"i went to bed early" would mean that i went to bed early only on a particular night
whereas "I used to go to bed early." would mean that i go to bed not just for a particular night - it could be a week or a month

(i dont think this makes much sense) wait i'll ask my cousin - shes an english teacher-intern

zina's avatar

it's correct.

i feel confirmed in this because a quick google search brought up several english grammar sites which discuss it (as a grammar geek i found it interesting - i never recognized exactly how to make a distinction between 'use to' and 'useD to') :
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-m_used-to-do.htm
http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish-central-grammar-used-to.htm
http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/usedtotext.htm
and more....

hossman's avatar

While it is grammatically correct, it does have an awkward feel, and although I would probably use "used to" verbally, I would try to write around it, such as "Formerly, I went to bed early."

sferik's avatar

Likewise, many people use "suppose to" instead of (the correct usage) "supposed to". I think this is because the final "d" of the first word and initial "t" of the second blend into a single consonant sound when spoken.

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