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 #2 (permalink) Sun Jun 05, 2011 20:05 pm Can I say "Didn't you use to work here?" |
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Didn't you use to... is incorrect. It is always 'didn't you used to...'
I used to.... she used to... The teacher used to...
Anything else is a result of the user mishearing 'used to' and thinking it should be 'use to'. (Native English speakers should know better but they do it too!)
There are two searches on the site. The forum search at the top of the page is good for using keywords and finding titles.
The link to the advanced search engine, where you can search by user and keyword is a little further down the page, in the same line as the Log In/ Progress report/ New messages links. However, I don't find that as useful when searching for key words.
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Beeesneees
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| #3 (permalink) Sat Jun 18, 2011 3:31 am Can I say "Didn't you use to work here?" |
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Hi Betty 76,
Even the most highly respected grammar authorities aren't unanimous about whether the negative form of 'used to do' would be 'didn't use to do' or 'didn't used to do'. However, my experience is that most language authorities consider 'didn't use to do' to be the correct version. When I teach my students the negative form, I typically teach them 'didn't use to' first, and then later give them 'didn't used to' as a frequently used alternative.
The negative form 'used not to do' is also possible. As a way of avoiding confusion over whether to use 'use' or 'used' in a negative sentence, you can also use 'never used to'. Of course, neither of those two options help when it is a negative question.
Look at this link for further input:
used to/did not use to
You'll find Mr Micawber's brief but very pragmatic input in this link:
http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic10969.html
Here is a BBC page (UK) that proclaims 'didn't use to' to be the 'correct' version:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1346_gramchallenge15/
Finally, I think the following is a good commentary about the confusion over 'didn't use(d) to':
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| You'll find a difference of opinion about this usage in the writing manuals. Most writing manuals will say that in a question or negative construction (that uses "did"), the "used" (with the "d" ending) is like doubling up the past tense, so "Didn't he use to be a musician" would be correct. And that position is taken by people like Theodore Bernstein and Bill Walsh and Paul Lovinger. I agree with them. Bryan Garner, however, argues that the "-ed" ending of "used" is still necessary in that construction. And Burchfield says "didn't use to" is acceptable only in informal contexts. I'm afraid this doesn't really answer your question — except to say it's a matter of legitimate debate. I'd go with "did use to," myself. |
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 Esl_Expert
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