used to be

Politics used to be the perquisite of the property-owning classes.

政治曾经是有产阶级的特权。

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

来来来，别不够朋友。

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 materials used have to be able to withstand high temperatures.

所使用的材料必须能够耐高温。

He used to be very shy, but now he's gone to the opposite extreme.

他以前很腼腆，现在却走向了另一个极端。

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

“他以前是那么英俊。”——“那么现在呢？”

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。

She used to be so fussy about her appearance.

她过去非常在意自己的容貌。

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

贫穷问题已较过去有所缓解。

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。

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。

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.

Standards aren't what they used to be.

现在的行为标准和过去不一样了。

The company used to be in his direct charge.

该公司过去由他直接管理.

There used to be a saying: ‘Spare the rod and spoil the child. ’

俗语说：“孩子不打不成器。”

Steel used to be important in South Wales.

以前钢铁工业在南威尔士很重要。

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。

(figurative)Many companies are a lot slimmer than they used to be (= have fewer workers) .

许多公司的员工比过去少多了。

Modern zoos are much better than they used to be.

现代的动物园比过去的好得多.

Raccoons used to be trapped for their fur.

人们过去经常猎取浣熊，以获得其毛皮。

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 time has come to think the unthinkable (= consider possibilities that used to be unacceptable) .

现在该开始考虑以前不予考虑的事情了。

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

她和以往一样的活跃.

Pa used to be in the army.

老爸当过兵。

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

在我学生时代,生活非常有趣.

Britain's licensing hours used to be very restricted.

英国的酒吧营业时间从前受到很严格的限制。

There are far more opportunities for young people than there used to be.

现在年轻人的机会比过去多得多。

I used to be out on the tiles every night.

我曾每晚都在外面花天酒地。