18/02/2025
Lecture on "Use to" vs. "Used to" in English (with Urdu Sentences)
Introduction:
The phrase "use to" and "used to" often confuse English learners. Both have different meanings and uses depending on the sentence structure. Let’s understand them with rules, examples, and their Urdu translations.
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1. "Used to" (Past Habit/State) - (ماضی کی عادت یا حالت)
We use "used to" when talking about past habits, states, or repeated actions that no longer happen.
Structure:
Subject + used to + base verb
Examples:
I used to play cricket when I was a child.
(میں بچپن میں کرکٹ کھیلا کرتا تھا۔)
She used to live in Karachi.
(وہ کراچی میں رہا کرتی تھی۔)
We used to visit our grandparents every summer.
(ہم ہر گرمیوں میں اپنے دادا دادی کے گھر جایا کرتے تھے۔)
Key Point:
"Used to" always refers to the past.
The verb after "used to" is always in its base form (play, live, visit).
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2. "Use to" in Negative and Interrogative Sentences - (منفی اور سوالیہ جملوں میں)
In negative and interrogative sentences, we use "use to" (not "used to") because of the helping verb did/didn't.
Structure (Negative):
Subject + didn’t use to + base verb
Examples:
I didn’t use to like coffee.
(مجھے پہلے کافی پسند نہیں تھی۔)
She didn’t use to wake up early.
(وہ پہلے جلدی نہیں اٹھتی تھی۔)
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Structure (Interrogative):
Did + subject + use to + base verb?
Examples:
Did you use to play football?
(کیا تم پہلے فٹ بال کھیلا کرتے تھے؟)
Did he use to visit Lahore often?
(کیا وہ پہلے لاہور کثرت سے آتا تھا؟)
Key Point:
In negative and interrogative sentences, we always use "use to" with "did" or "didn't".
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3. "Be used to" (Familiarity/Adaption) - (کسی چیز کا عادی ہونا)
"Be used to" means being familiar or comfortable with something. It can be used for present, past, or future.
Structure:
Subject + be (is/was/will be) + used to + noun/verb-ing
Examples:
I am used to waking up early. (Present)
(میں صبح جلدی اٹھنے کا عادی ہوں۔)
She was used to living alone. (Past)
(وہ اکیلے رہنے کی عادی تھی۔)
They will be used to the new environment soon. (Future)
(وہ جلد ہی نئے ماحول کے عادی ہو جائیں گے۔)
Key Point:
After "be used to", use a noun or a verb+ing (gerund).
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4. "Get used to" (Process of Adapting) - (عادت ڈالنا)
"Get used to" means becoming familiar with something. It shows the process of adaptation.
Structure:
Subject + get (gets/got/will get) + used to + noun/verb-ing
Examples:
I am getting used to the new job. (Present)
(میں نئی نوکری کا عادی ہو رہا ہوں۔)
She got used to the cold weather. (Past)
(وہ ٹھنڈے موسم کی عادی ہو گئی تھی۔)
You will get used to waking up early. (Future)
(تم صبح جلدی اٹھنے کی عادت ڈال لو گے۔)
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Quick Comparison Table
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Practice Time! (مشق کریں!)
Translate the following sentences into Urdu and identify the correct form of "use to":
1. I used to go for a walk every morning.
2. Did she use to live in Islamabad?
3. They didn’t use to like fast food.
4. He is used to driving on busy roads.
5. We are getting used to the new routine.
Answers:
1. میں ہر صبح چہل قدمی کے لیے جایا کرتا تھا۔ (Used to)
2. کیا وہ پہلے اسلام آباد میں رہتی تھی؟ (Use to - interrogative)
3. وہ پہلے فاسٹ فوڈ پسند نہیں کرتے تھے۔ (Use to - negative)
4. وہ مصروف سڑکوں پر گاڑی چلانے کا عادی ہے۔ (Be used to)
5. ہم نئی روٹین کے عادی ہو رہے ہیں۔ (Get used to)
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Conclusion:
"Used to" = Past habits or states.
"Use to" = Only in negative and interrogative forms with did/didn't.
"Be used to" = Being familiar with something (noun/verb-ing).
"Get used to" = The process of becoming familiar.
With regular practice, you'll become used to these structures!
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Would you like more practice exercises?
Lecture Delivered by:
Bilal Chaudhary (Founder of Oxford Spoken English Institute, Sialkot)
