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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Used to
The semi-modal "used" in the verb phrase "used to-infinitive" is a defective verb and one which has only a past tense.
So, my question is: is "use" a full (lexical) verb in questions and negatives of the "used to-infinitive" forms as, for example, in Did you use to read a lot, I didn't use to read a lot ?
So, my question is: is "use" a full (lexical) verb in questions and negatives of the "used to-infinitive" forms as, for example, in Did you use to read a lot, I didn't use to read a lot ?
Top answer
Did you use to read a lot? and I didn't use to read a lot look dreadful to me, like impossible combinations of words. I don't agree that you can manipulate "used" as a normal verb in this way.
- Did you use to read a lot?
- and I didn't use to read a lot look dreadful to me, like impossible combinations of words.
- I don't agree that you can manipulate "used" as a normal verb in this way.
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16 Answers
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Did you use to read a lot? and I didn't use to read a lot look dreadful to me, like impossible combinations of words. I don't agree that you can manipulate "used" as a normal verb in this way.
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GPYDid you use to read a lot? and I didn't use to read a lot look dreadful to me, like impossible combinations of words. I don't agree that you can manipulate "used" as a normal verb in this way.I don't manipulate, I follow grammar rules of the negative and interrogative in the Simple Past tense where the bare infinitive is a full (lexical) verb.
It
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AnonymousYou used to read a lot, didn't you?I wouldn't label this question as "formal."
AnonymousYou not used to read a lot, did you?The first part should be corrected to "You used not to read a lot." It seems quite formal or literary. "Did you?" doesn't work as a question tag here in my opinion.
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ozzourtiThe first part should be corrected to "You used not to read a lot." It seems quite formal or literary. "Did you?" doesn't work as a question tag here in my opinion.Thanks for the reply and correction. Could you explain why You used not to read a lot doesn't work with a question tag attached to it.
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You used not to read is not considered to be current standard American English. We would say, You didn't use to read a lot, did you
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AnonymousThanks for the reply and correction. Could you explain why You used not to read a lot doesn't work with a question tag attached to it.You can't attach a question tag with an auxiliary verb to a negative statement that contains no auxiliary. Including "not" after the main verb is the "old way" of negating (all) verbs in English. So, at least technical
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Archaic? 
ozzourtiI must agree with Philip, though—you are not very likely to hear "used no
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AnonymousI don't manipulate, I follow grammar rules of the negative and interrogative in the Simple Past tense where the bare infinitive is a full (lexical) verb.That is what I meant by "manipulate".
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PhilipYou used not to read is not considered to be current standard American English. We would say, You didn't use to read a lot, did youFor me (BrE), "used not to" is the preferred written form. I think that not all BrE speakers dislike "didn't use to" as much as I do though.
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PhilipWe would say, You didn't use to ...Yup! We certainly would. Nothing at all unusual there for AmE.
— Did you notice that Karen went outside to have a cigarette during the party last night?
— That's funny. She didn't use to smoke.
CJ
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