He had used to be a sad little boy vs He used to be a sad little boy

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'He used to be a sad little boy' is the more common and natural way to express that someone was sad in the past. 'He had used to be a sad little boy' is less common and may sound a bit awkward to native speakers.

Last updated: March 31, 2024

He had used to be a sad little boy

This phrase is grammatically correct but less common in everyday English.

This phrase is used to express a past habit or state that is no longer true. It is correct but less commonly used than the alternative.

Alternatives:

he used to be a sad little boy

He used to be a sad little boy

This phrase is the more common and natural way to express that someone was sad in the past.

This phrase is used to talk about a past situation or habit that no longer exists. It is the preferred way to express this idea.

Alternatives:

he had been a sad little boy

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He had used to be a sad little boy vs He used to be a sad little boy