It used to be a crystal stream.

那曾是条清澈见底的小溪。

This used to be a shabby house.

此房年久失修。

He used to be an executioner for government.

他以前是政府的行刑人。

It used to be a very prosperous town.

这个城镇过去很繁荣。

He used to be a dunce at school.

他上学时曾是个笨学生。

Agriculture used to be the economic backbone of this country.

农业曾是这个国家的经济支柱。

Modern zoos are much better than they used to be.

现代的动物园比过去的好得多。

He used to be a linguist till he turns writer.

他过去是个语言学家, 后来成了作家。

I used to be a linguist till I become a writer.

过去我是个语言学家, 后来成了作家。

American firms used to be allowed to amortise goodwill over many years.

过去美国的企业被允许将商誉在很多年内逐步摊销。

A revolutionary’s life used to be beset with dangers and hardships.

一个革命者的生活中往往充满危险和艰难。

Do you believe these two intimate friends used to be mutual sworn enemies?

"这两位亲密朋友彼此间过去曾经是不共戴天的死敌,你相信吗?"

He used to be quite wealthy, but his children have bled him dry.

他从前很富有，可是都被他的孩子们给榨乾了。

He used to be a millionnaire. But now he has become a bum.

（例）他曾经是个百万富翁，不过现在已经变成个穷光蛋了。

I noticed the darker paint where our old mezuzah used to be.

门上那块颜色黯淡的漆，正是我们以前贴平安符的地方呀！

Henry used to be totally apolitical,but I think he is now politically more aware.

基辛格过去完全不问政治，但是，我认为现在他政治上比较敏锐了。

He's much thinner nowadays than he used to be; I think he's been ill.

最近他比以前瘦多了, 我想他一直在生病。

He’s not as energetic as he used to be— beginning to feel his age, I suppose.

他不像以前那么精力充沛了—我想他开始觉得自己上年纪了。

In some tropical regions small boats used to be made of skins stretched over a wooden frame.

过去有些热带地区小船是用兽皮绷在一个木头框子上造成的。

The metal plates used in making ships used to be riveted together, but now they are usually welded.

造船中使用的金属板过去使用铆接, 现在则常用焊接。