used to

Question

Hi! I've got a question and hope you can help me.
By "used to" we can express a regular habit from the past which is no longer true, we can also express a longer state from the past which is also no longer true, right?
So, can I say "I really used to hate sweets when I was little" instead of "I really hated sweets when I was little"?
Thanks

BarbaraPA · Accepted Answer

You've got it exactly.

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Sarangadhar · Answer

I really used to hate sweets when I was little

I really hated sweets when I was little

What's your opinion: A) 2nd one is wrong B) 1st one is exact fit to the context than the 2nd one ?

BarbaraPA · Answer

I mean that they are the same in meaning, which is what I believe the original poster was asking.

CalifJim · Answer

By "used to" we can express a regular habit from the past which is no longer true, we can also express a longer state from the past which is also no longer true, right?

Small point.

You can express a regular habit which is no longer a habit -- yes. However, note that if you use used to it does not require that the habit is no longer a habit. used to refers only to the past; there is nothing said about the present at all when you say used to.

If I say I used to like reading non-fiction when I was in my twenties, it doesn't mean that I do not now like reading non-fiction. It only describes the situation as it was when I was in my twenties.

Many people automatically infer that the present situation differs from the past when used to is used, but that's not always the case.

CJ

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