Understanding the Key Difference
• I used to smoke. (I smoked before, but I don’t smoke now)
• She used to live in Paris. (She lived there before, but not anymore)USUALLY = Present habits that continue
• I usually drink coffee. (I drink coffee regularly now)
• She usually walks to work. (She walks to work regularly now)
The main difference: USED TO is about the PAST, USUALLY is about the PRESENT.
Form and Structure
• Form: subject + used to + base verb
• Time: Past only
• Examples: I used to play tennis. / We used to eat meat. / He used to work here.USUALLY + present tense verb
• Form: subject + usually + present verb
• Time: Present
• Examples: I usually play tennis. / We usually eat vegetables. / He usually works late.Notice: ‘used to’ always stays the same (used to), but ‘usually’ comes with regular present tense verbs (play/plays, eat/eats, work/works).
When to Use Each Structure
✓ Talking about past habits that don’t happen anymore
✓ Describing past situations or states that have changed
✓ Contrasting past and present: ‘I used to exercise daily, but now I’m too busy.’Examples:
• I used to watch TV every night. (I don’t do this anymore)
• This building used to be a bank. (It’s not a bank now)
• Did you use to play football? (Asking about past habits)**Use USUALLY when:**
✓ Talking about current regular habits
✓ Describing what you do most of the time now
✓ Explaining your present routine
Examples:
• I usually watch Netflix on weekends. (I still do this)
• This café usually opens at 8am. (It still does this)
• Do you usually play football? (Asking about present habits)
Time Markers Help You Choose
• When I was younger, I used to…
• Years ago, we used to…
• Before I moved here, I used to…
• In my childhood, I used to…With USUALLY (Present):
• These days, I usually…
• Now, I usually…
• Currently, I usually…
• On weekdays, I usually…If you can add ‘now’ or ‘these days’ to your sentence, use USUALLY. If you can add ‘before’ or ‘in the past’, use USED TO.
Side-by-Side Comparison
2. She used to drink soda. → She usually drinks water.
3. They used to go clubbing. → They usually stay home.
4. We used to eat fast food. → We usually cook at home.
5. He used to arrive late. → He usually arrives on time.Notice: The first sentence in each pair describes something that stopped (past). The second describes something happening now (present).
Common Confusion Points
❌ When I was young, I usually played outside. (WRONG – this is past)
✓ When I was young, I used to play outside. (CORRECT)Confusion #2: Using ‘used to’ for present habits
❌ I used to go to the gym every Monday. (WRONG if you still do it)
✓ I usually go to the gym every Monday. (CORRECT for present habit)Confusion #3: Mixing the forms
❌ I usually to wake up early. (WRONG – no ‘to’ after usually)
✓ I usually wake up early. (CORRECT)
**Confusion #4: Negative forms**
Past: I didn’t use to like coffee. (NOT ‘didn’t used to’)
Present: I don’t usually drink coffee. (NOT ‘don’t use to’)
Examples
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Incorrect: I usually lived in Spain when I was a child.
✅ Correct: I used to live in Spain when I was a child.
Explanation: Use ‘used to’ for past situations. ‘Usually’ is only for present habits, not past ones.
❌ Incorrect: I used to go running every morning. (if you still do it)
✅ Correct: I usually go running every morning.
Explanation: If the habit continues in the present, use ‘usually’, not ‘used to’. ‘Used to’ means you stopped.
❌ Incorrect: I usually to drink coffee in the morning.
✅ Correct: I usually drink coffee in the morning.
Explanation: Don’t add ‘to’ after ‘usually’. It’s ‘usually + present verb’, not ‘usually to + verb’.
❌ Incorrect: Did you usually play tennis? (asking about the past)
✅ Correct: Did you use to play tennis?
Explanation: For questions about past habits, use ‘did you use to’, not ‘did you usually’.
❌ Incorrect: She didn’t used to like chocolate.
✅ Correct: She didn’t use to like chocolate.
Explanation: In negatives and questions, it’s ‘use to’ (not ‘used to’) because ‘did’ already shows past tense.
❌ Incorrect: I use to go swimming. (present habit)
✅ Correct: I usually go swimming.
Explanation: ‘Use to’ without ‘used’ is only correct in negatives/questions. For present habits, say ‘usually’.
Tips for Success
- Memory trick: USED TO = USED UP (the habit is finished, used up, gone). USUALLY = U ARE STILL doing it (the ‘U’ reminds you it’s current).
- Ask yourself: ‘Do I still do this?’ If YES → usually. If NO → used to.
- Time test: Can you add ‘nowadays’ or ‘these days’? Use USUALLY. Can you add ‘back then’ or ‘before’? Use USED TO.
- In questions and negatives with ‘used to’, drop the ‘d’: Did you use to…? / I didn’t use to…
- USUALLY shows frequency (how often), USED TO shows change (what stopped).
- You can use both in one sentence to show contrast: ‘I used to hate vegetables, but I usually eat them now.’