The phrase “I used to + (verb)” is indeed used to describe habits, actions, or states that were true in the past but are no longer the case. It helps contrast the past with the present.
How to Use “I used to + (verb)”
- It emphasizes past routines, activities, or conditions that are no longer applicable.
- The verb following “used to” is always in its base form.
Examples:
1. Past Habits or Actions:
- “I used to paint.” / “आं सावगारि आखियोमोन।”
- “I used to smoke.” / “आं सिगरेट सोबोमोन।”
- “I used to work from home.” / “आं न’निफ्राय खामानि मावोमोन।”
2. Past States:
- “I used to live in Udalguri.” / “आं उदालगुरियाव थायोमोन।
- “I used to like vegetables.” / “आं मैगं-थाइगं मोजां मोनोमोन।”
- “I used to start work at 5:30 o’clock.” / “आं 5:30 रिंगायाव खामानिखौ जुरियोमोन।”
3. Past Activities or Interests:
- “I used to go to the beach every day.” / “आं सानफ्रोमबो लैथो रुगुंआव थाङोमोन।”
- “I used to sing in a choir.” / “आं खनगिरि हानजायाव मेथाइ रोजाबोमोन।”
Negative Form:
To express that something did not happen in the past, use “I didn’t use to + (verb).”
Examples:
- “I didn’t use to eat spicy food.”/ “आं मस्ला-मस्लि गोनां आदार जायाखैमोन।”
- “I didn’t use to go to the school” / “आं फरायसालियाव थांङाखैमोन।”
Question Form:
To ask about past habits or states, use “Did you use to + (verb)?”
Examples:
- “Did you use to live here?” / “नोंथाङा बेवहाय थायोमोन नामा?”
- “Did you use to play soccer in school?” / “नोंथाङा फरायसालियाव फुटबल गेलेयोमोन नामा?”
- “Did you use to watch cartoons as a kid?” / “नोंथाङा उन्दै समाव कार्टुन नायाखैमोन नामा?”
- “Did you use to travel a lot for work?” / “नोंथाङा खामानिनि थाखाय गोबां दावबायदोंमोन नामा?”
- “Did you use to cook your own meals?”/ “नोंथाङा गावनो ओंखाम संदोंमोन नामा?”
- “Did you use to study late at night?”/ “नोंथाङा हर गेजेराव गोबावै फरायदोंमोन नामा?”
- “Did you use to visit your grandparents often?” / “नोंथाङा गले गले गावनि बिबौ-बिबैखौ लोगो हमबाय थायोमोन नामा?”
- “Did you use to read books every day?”/ “नोंथाङा सानफ्रोमबो बिजाबफोर फरायदोंमोन नामा?”
- “Did you use to drive that car?” / “नोंथाङा बै गारिखौ सालायदोंमोन नामा?”
- “Did you use to practice the piano regularly?” /“नोंथाङा पिय’न’खौ सानफ्रोमबो सोलोंबाय थायोमोन नामा?”
