English · Chapter 10 · Lesson 8 · Grammar primer
Used to and would
How English talks about the past that is no longer true - 'I used to live here', 'we would visit every summer' - and why 'used to' and 'would' are not always swappable.
The short version
After did, the d disappears
In a positive sentence it is used to, with a d. In negatives and questions you bring in did, and did already carries the past tense, so the d drops off and it becomes use to. The two spellings sound identical when you say them, so your ear will not help you; only the rule will.
Did she use to work here?
Used to work is not the same as used to working
Used to plus a base verb is a finished past habit. Be used to plus a noun or an -ing form means something feels normal to you now, and you may well still do it. The little words am, is, are or get in front are the signal that you have switched structures entirely.
I am used to working nights.
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