Use past tense

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Learn past tenses to communicate in English accurately

Meaning of use

to employ for some purpose; put into service; make use of.

Infinitive

Word: use /juːz/
Examples:
  • 1. He uses his laptop to work from home every day.
  • 2. She uses a map to find her way around the new city.
  • 3. This machine uses advanced technology to save energy.

Past Simple

Word: used /juːzd/
Examples:
  • 1. She used her grandmother's recipe to bake the cake.
  • 2. They used to go to the beach every summer when they were kids.
  • 3. I used a map to find my way through the city.

Past Participle

Word: used /juːzd/
Examples:
  • 1. The book has been used by generations of students.
  • 2. The tools were used carefully by the carpenter.
  • 3. Every resource at our disposal was used to complete the project on time.

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Bare infinitive

  1. To describe habitual actions or routines involving employing something for a purpose.
    Example. She uses a planner to organize her day.
    Example. This software uses an advanced algorithm to predict trends.
    Example. To open the door, use this key.
  2. To state facts or general truths about the function or employment of something.
    Example. She uses a planner to organize her day.
    Example. This software uses an advanced algorithm to predict trends.
    Example. To open the door, use this key.
  3. To give instructions or advice on how to employ or make use of something.
    Example. She uses a planner to organize her day.
    Example. This software uses an advanced algorithm to predict trends.
    Example. To open the door, use this key.

Past Simple

  1. To talk about a specific instance in the past when something was employed for a purpose.
    Example. He used a map to find his way through the city.
    Example. We used a translator to communicate with the locals during our trip.
    Example. I used to use a typewriter before computers became common.
  2. To describe a series of actions in the past involving the employment of something for a certain purpose.
    Example. He used a map to find his way through the city.
    Example. We used a translator to communicate with the locals during our trip.
    Example. I used to use a typewriter before computers became common.
  3. To express past habits or states involving the employment of something that is no longer true.
    Example. He used a map to find his way through the city.
    Example. We used a translator to communicate with the locals during our trip.
    Example. I used to use a typewriter before computers became common.

Past Participle

  1. Perfect tenses - To talk about actions of employing something for a purpose that have happened, with relevance to the present moment or completed at an unspecified time in the past.
    Example. This method has been used by scientists to conduct research for decades.
  2. Example (Present Perfect). She has used all her savings to start her own business.
    Example. This method has been used by scientists to conduct research for decades.
  3. Example (Past Perfect). By the time the new software was introduced, we had already used the old version for years.
    Example. This method has been used by scientists to conduct research for decades.
  4. Passive voice - To describe situations where the focus is on something being employed for a purpose, rather than who employed it.
    Example. This method has been used by scientists to conduct research for decades.

Common mistakes

— 01

Confusing Forms

While both forms are spelled the same, their usage differs significantly. The past simple form is used to describe actions that happened at a specific time in the past, often with a clear beginning and end. For example, 'I used your laptop yesterday.' In contrast, the past participle form is typically used in perfect tenses and passive voice, requiring auxiliary verbs like 'have' or 'was.' For example, 'I have used your laptop before,' or 'Your laptop was used by me.'

— 02

Incorrect Verb Tense

Another mistake is using 'used' improperly in verb tense constructions, particularly in perfect and passive forms. Some learners might omit the auxiliary verbs or use them incorrectly, leading to sentences that are grammatically incorrect or confusing. For example, incorrectly saying 'I used your laptop before' instead of the correct 'I have used your laptop before,' or 'Your laptop used by me' instead of 'Your laptop was used by me.'

— 03

Neglecting the Infinitive

A less common but notable mistake involves neglecting the infinitive form 'to use' when it's required, especially in modal constructions. Learners might mistakenly use the past simple or past participle form with modals, which always require the base form of the verb. For example, incorrectly saying 'I must used your laptop' instead of the correct 'I must use your laptop.' Understanding the distinction between when to use 'used' and 'to use' is crucial for accurate and effective communication.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the past simple and past participle forms of 'use'?

The past simple form of 'use' is 'used', and the past participle form is also 'used'. Both forms are spelled the same but are used in different grammatical contexts.

How do I use 'used' in a past simple sentence?

In a past simple sentence, 'used' is employed to describe an action that was completed at a specific time in the past. For example. 'Yesterday, I used the computer for my project.' Here, 'used' indicates that the action of using the computer occurred and was completed yesterday.

How is the past participle 'used' utilized in a sentence?

The past participle form 'used' is typically used in perfect tenses or passive voice constructions. For instance, in the present perfect tense, you might say, 'I have used this software before.' In a passive voice construction, you might say, 'The tool was used by the entire team last month.' In both examples, 'used' acts as the past participle, either to form a perfect tense or to construct a passive sentence.

Can you give an example of 'used' in both the past simple and past participle in a combined context?

Yes, of course. In a sentence that combines both forms, you might encounter a structure that uses the past simple to set a time frame and the past participle within a perfect or passive aspect to describe actions related to that time frame. For example. 'Last year, I had already used the software before the update was released.' Here, 'had used' is an example of the past perfect tense, showing an action completed before another past action ('the update was released'). Remember, understanding the context and the structure of the sentence will help you determine whether 'used' is functioning as a past simple form or a past participle.