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Latest post Tue, Jun 30 2009 3:03 PM by Anonymous. 2 replies.
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Anonymous  +  801341 Tue, 30 Jun 09 09:34 AM
Hello


Is "may have used to" a standard form?


e.g.


"Well, he may have used to live in Africa, but it doesn't naturally follow that he understands African ways."

Cool Breeze  +  801436 Tue, 30 Jun 09 02:35 PM
Anonymous
“Is "may have used to" a standard form?”

No, only the past tense is possible:

He used to live in Africa.

I didn't use to like him. (Some usage guides also accept: I didn't used to like him.)


CB

Joined on Fri, Apr 7 2006
Senior Member 3,926
"I hope you'll all live to be 150 years old - and the last voice you hear is mine!" Frank Sinatra on stage in Oslo, Norway, 28 September 1991
Anonymous, 130 days ago
But if someone says:

He used to live in Africa, so I think he knows what's what.

 

Someone can answer:

 

Well he may have done that, but it doesn't naturally folow that...

 

Why can't one replace "done that" with "used to"?

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