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Pedants' corner

Could someone please tell me

12 replies

greedychops · 20/01/2011 17:57

Whether it's ok to say :

I didn't use to have x. Or what would be the correct way of saying it please? Am having a mind blank about whether that sounds correct or not.

Tia.

OP posts:
BitOfFun · 20/01/2011 17:58

You would say "used", I believe.

prism · 20/01/2011 19:37

"I didn't use to have x", or
"I used not to have x" or possibly
"I used to have no x"

IMHO

nickelbabysnatcher · 21/01/2011 16:10

"I didn't used to have"

MardyBra · 22/01/2011 01:29

Sorry prism agree with nickel and BoF:
"I didn't used to have..."

ChaosTrulyReigns · 22/01/2011 01:31

I'm wondering if x is an abbreviation for sex?

Grin
Ipanema · 22/01/2011 11:08

I think Prism's suggestions are correct

prism · 22/01/2011 11:10

...or x could be "orgasms". That would work in any of my suggestions.

Bucharest · 22/01/2011 11:17

I didn't used isn't correct, though it's widely used, even in print.

Didn't and used are both past tenses, therefore it's not possible to have them together.

Prism is right.

MinnieBar · 22/01/2011 11:22

Prism and Bucharest are right.

Wink
greedychops · 22/01/2011 14:08

Thank you very much for your help - I wouldn't line to say what x stands for, but let's just say, I have lots of them now Grin

OP posts:
nickelbabysnatcher · 22/01/2011 14:52

i have changed my mind.

I used to
i didn't use to.

but it's a rather clumsy phrase.

TheVisitor · 22/01/2011 14:55

I would just say "I didn't have" or "I used to not have". I didn't used to sounds clumsy.

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