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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Linguistics Studies
May have used to
Hello
Is "may have used to" a standard form?
e.g.
"Well, he may have used to live in Africa, but it doesn't naturally follow that he understands African ways."
Is "may have used to" a standard form?
e.g.
"Well, he may have used to live in Africa, but it doesn't naturally follow that he understands African ways."
Top answer
Anonymous Is "may have used to" a standard form? No, only the past tense is possible: He used to live in Africa. I didn't use to like him.
- Anonymous Is "may have used to" a standard form?
- No, only the past tense is possible: He used to live in Africa.
- I didn't use to like him.
- (Some usage guides also accept: I didn't used to like him.
- ) CB
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2 Answers
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AnonymousIs "may have used to" a standard form?No, only the past tense is possible:
He used to live in Africa.
I didn't use to like him. (Some usage guides also accept: I didn't used to like him.)
CB
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But if someone says:
He used to live in Africa, so I think he knows what's what.
Someone can answer:
Well he may have done that, but it doesn't naturally folow that...
Why can't one replace "done that" with "used to"?
He used to live in Africa, so I think he knows what's what.
Someone can answer:
Well he may have done that, but it doesn't naturally folow that...
Why can't one replace "done that" with "used to"?
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