Negative form with "used to"

Question

Hi,Did John use to take classes at the local college?Yes, John used to take classes at the local college.No, John didn't use to take classes at the local college.No, John didn't use to take classes at the local college, but he is now.1) Do both No replies work? Or only the 2nd No reply?2) Should I use past simple for the reply if John is not taking classes at the local college now?3) If John is taking classes at the local college now but not before, can I use past simple or is "used to" more appropriate?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

1-- Both are grammatical. There is no call for the additional information in the 2nd one.

2-- Either form may be appropriate.

3-- In which case? For the negative answers? Both are again possible, though simple past will require the adverb 'before', I suppose.

(Here is an additional (unrelated) quote from Swan:

"In a formal style, used to can have the forms of a modal auxiliary verb (questions and negatives without 'do'), especially in BrE: I used not to like opera. OR I used to not like opera.

In an informal style, it is more common to use ordinary question and negative forms with auxiliary 'do': I didn't use to like opera. This form is not often written, but when it is, it is sometimes spelt didn't used to. Many people consider this spelling incorrect.")

Holyduke · Answer

Thank you very much!

Negative form with "used to"

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