The phrase "used to" is commonly used in both spoken and written English to indicate past habits or actions that are no longer true or events that occurred regularly in the past. Here's how it is used in both contexts:
**Spoken English:**
1. "I used to play the piano when I was a child."
- In conversation, people might use this phrase to talk about a past activity or habit that they once had.
2. "She used to live in New York, but now she's in Los Angeles."
- In casual speech, this phrase is used to describe a previous living situation that has changed.
**Written English:**
1. In an essay or narrative:
"He used to be a smoker, but he quit five years ago."
- In formal writing, "used to" can be employed to describe a past action or habit.
2. In a biography:
"The famous author used to write for a local newspaper before achieving international acclaim."
- In written accounts of someone's life or career, "used to" can be used to detail their past activities or jobs.
In both spoken and written English, "used to" is used to convey actions, habits, or situations from the past that are no longer applicable or to describe how things have changed over time. It's a valuable tool for discussing the past in English.