used to be

Pa used to be in the army.

老爸当过兵。

The materials used have to be able to withstand high temperatures.

所使用的材料必须能够耐高温。

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.

He used to be as smart as anything.

他过去聪明绝顶。

Modern zoos are much better than they used to be.

现代的动物园比过去的好得多.

The money will be used to regenerate the commercial heart of the town.

这笔钱将用来发展壮大市镇的商业中心。

The company used to be in his direct charge.

该公司过去由他直接管理.

She used to be so fussy about her appearance.

她过去非常在意自己的容貌。

She's no less active than she used to be.

她和以往一样的活跃.

Eating in East Berlin used to be a hazardous and joyless experience.

在东柏林就餐曾经是一件危险而且沉闷无趣的事情。

I used to be out on the tiles every night.

我曾每晚都在外面花天酒地。

Computer software can be used to simulate conditions on the seabed.

计算机软件可用于模拟海底状况。

He used to be a pilot but now he has a desk job.

他曾是飞行员，但现在做办公室工作。

Things ain't what they used to be.

现在情况不比从前了。

Water pipes used to be made out of elm.

水管过去是用榆木做的.

Go on, be a sport (= used when asking sb to help you) .

来来来，别不够朋友。

Poverty is less of a problem now than it used to be.

贫穷问题已较过去有所缓解。

He used to be a pilot but now he has a desk job .

他曾是飞行员，但现在做办公室工作。

The life used to be very interesting in my school days.

在我学生时代,生活非常有趣.

"He used to be so handsome." — "And now?"

“他以前是那么英俊。”——“那么现在呢？”