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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > Used to for past habits
Used to for past habits
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grzincic
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Used to for past habits
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Dear teachers, I have a simple question. If we say:"I didn �t use to play with dolls when I was little " - does this NECESSARILY mean that I play with dolls now, having in mind that this construction is used for actions and states that were habitual in the past, but they are not true anymore? Or this sentence can be understood as an ordinary Simple Past Statement? Thank you. |
11 Oct 2012
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cunliffe
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I think it does imply that you play with dolls now, or you would say, �I didn �t play (or I never played) with dolls when I was little. If you are a big girl now, you would say it in a sheepish tone of voice.  |
11 Oct 2012
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johanne23232
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In my opinion it doesn �t necessarily mean you play with dolls now....only refers to the habits you had as a child.
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11 Oct 2012
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grzincic
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I tend towards that opinion,too. Thank you for your help. |
11 Oct 2012
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yanogator
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I agree with Lynne, that it does somewhat imply that you do now, or you would just use the Past Simple. However, it could also be used in a conversation, in which the others are saying that they did use to play with dolls. In that case, you might use this construction, just because. However, if you say "I didn �t use to play with dolls when I was little", some smart aleck would say, "Oh, so you do now?"
That is evidence that it does have this implication to some extent.
Bruce |
11 Oct 2012
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grzincic
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Dear Bruce, you gave me quite thorough explanation. Thank you, it �s really helpful. |
11 Oct 2012
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