I used not to be a good man. vs I used to not be a good man.

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. The phrase 'I used not to be a good man' emphasizes the past habit of not being a good man. On the other hand, 'I used to not be a good man' emphasizes the negation of being a good man in the past. The choice between them depends on the intended emphasis in the sentence.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 778 views

I used not to be a good man.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a past habit or behavior.

This phrase is used to talk about a past habit or behavior that was different from the present. It emphasizes the action or state that was true in the past.

Examples:

I used not to eat vegetables when I was a child.
She used not to like horror movies, but now she enjoys them.
He used not to exercise regularly, but now he goes to the gym every day.

Show examples from the web [+]

You used to be a good man.
For what's the purpose of life, if it's not to be a good man?
Now I'm trying to be a good man.
And I want to be a good man.
I'm trying to be a good man.
I try to be a good man.
I- I try to be a good man.
I just want to be a good man.
Your last chance to be a good man.
Listen, I've always tried to be a good man.
I try to be a good man.
He deserved to grow up to be a good man.
I try to be a good man.
L... I try to be a good man.
That your biggest regret is that you'll never know if Nestor would have grown up to be a good man.
I've tried to be a good man, all my life.
He appears to be a good man and he is trying to do a difficult job to the best of his abilities.
He taught me how to be a good man, Danny, and I wasn't.
We'll take care of him and educate him... keep him safe and raise him to be a good man.
I'm not perfect, but I try to be a good man.

Alternatives:

I didn't used to be a good man.
I used to be a bad man.
I wasn't a good man before.
I used to behave poorly.
I wasn't a kind person in the past.

I used to not be a good man.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to emphasize the negation of being a good man in the past.

This phrase is used to emphasize the negation of a past action or state. It highlights the fact that being a good man was not true in the past.

Examples:

I used to not like spicy food, but now I enjoy it.
She used to not speak English fluently, but she practiced and improved.
He used to not care about his health, but now he is very conscious about it.

Show examples from the web [+]

You used to be a good man.
Now I'm trying to be a good man.
And I want to be a good man.
I'm trying to be a good man.
I try to be a good man.
I- I try to be a good man.
To help you be a good man.
I just want to be a good man.
Your last chance to be a good man.
Listen, I've always tried to be a good man.
I try to be a good man.
He deserved to grow up to be a good man.
I try to be a good man.
L... I try to be a good man.
By what you decide to do every day, you will be a good man.
That your biggest regret is that you'll never know if Nestor would have grown up to be a good man.
If you have a guitar should be a good man.
I'd rather be a good man than a great king.
-He can be a good man, Giles.
No, Joey... if you want to be a good man, be a good man.

Alternatives:

I didn't used to be a good man.
I used not to be a good man.
I used to be a bad man.
I wasn't a good man before.
I used to behave poorly.

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I used not to be a good man. vs I used to not be a good man.