used to, never used to, used not to, didn’t use to

Used to plus a verb expresses previous habits or customs.

• Camilla used to ride her bicycle to work until she crashed into a tree.

In writing, the negative forms include never used to and used not to.

• The Tourist Office never used to be open on Sundays in the winter.
• The Tourist Office used not to be open on Sundays in the winter.

In speech, Canadians and Americans prefer didn’t use to, while in Britain didn’t used to is common.

• Informal usage: The Tourist Office didn’t use to be open.

A question is structured Did … use (or used) to?

• Did the traffic use to be heavier on this road?