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Re: [GWL]: new topic?

It's "used to garden" as in I "used to drive a Chevy, but garden writing made me rich, so now I drive a BMW." This is an idiomatic expression, which means it doesn't follow other grammar rules. For example, its only use is in the past tense.

However, I have a question about the negative form. American textbooks teach "I didn't use to garden, but now I do." When I lived in England (I used to live in England), I started saying "I used not to garden," and I'm not sure if the English actually say it this way or if I was just being affected. (Graham, are you there?)

The question form is "Did you use to garden?" just as as we say "Did you eat?" not "Did you ate?"
 
 

Hamptongar@aol.com wrote:

 OK...here's one for the experts.  Which is correct and why?  I used to garden or I use to garden?  Think about it though.  I suspect it's not as easy as it looks.  No wise guys answers like "I once gardened" are acceptable.
 


Andrew Messinger
The Hampton Gardener
The Hampton Gardener is a Registered Trade Mark

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