things that used to vs used to

Both "things that used to" and "used to" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Used to" is commonly used to talk about past habits or states that are no longer true, while "things that used to" is used to refer to specific items or activities that were done in the past but are no longer done.

Last updated: March 11, 2024 • 748 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to specific items or activities that were done in the past but are no longer done.

"things that used to"

This phrase is used to talk about particular things or activities that were done in the past but are not done anymore. It is often followed by a verb to describe the action that used to take place.

Show examples from the web [+]

15 Things That Used to Be Free but Now Cost Money. By Maryalene LaPonsie on December 24, 2014. Photo (cc) by Betsssssy. Share this story. Facebook ...
25 Things that used to be legal. Back Next. Sending Children by Parcel Post. On Jan. 1, 1913, the U.S. Parcel Post Service regulations stated that packages ...
Written during a busy year on theroad, Things That Used To Shine is an album about leaving somethings behind…and meeting others head-on. It's also the ...
25 Things that used to be legal. UPDATED 6:03 PM PDT May 03, 2014. Next Slideshow: Celebrities who died too young. 1 of 29. SLIDESHOW DESCRIPTION | ...

Alternatives:

activities that used to
items that used to

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to talk about past habits or states that are no longer true.

"used to"

This phrase is used to talk about past habits, states, or actions that were regular or habitual in the past but are no longer true in the present. It is often followed by the base form of a verb.

Show examples from the web [+]

Atmospheric pressure non-thermal plasma can be used to promote chemical reactions.
It is used to provide interoperability between digital content creation applications.
Whatever you used to bury Bentley and Nevins.
Nickel is used to make alloys.
His personal codes were used to manipulate the Matrix.
The materials used to construct ringforts frequently disintegrated over time.
The knife was used to kill people.
Vaccine can be used to protect workers at occupational risk.
The hashtag was used to reveal all subsequent promotional material.
Scene controllers are typically used to perform activities.
It is used to measure comparative rock-'n'-roll intensity levels.
There are several methods used to produce synthetic diamonds.
Proxy bouncing can be used to maintain privacy.
It is used to improve computer performance and speed.
The generic term photon is therefore used to describe both.
Eucalyptus is used to make paper pulp.
Alcohol is used to sterilize wounds.
The traditional Aztec method used to prepare kernels for consumption.
Persistent cookie used to distinguish users.
Tiotropium is used to prevent bronchospasm attacks.

Alternatives:

was accustomed to
was in the habit of

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things that used to vs used to