What's the negation of "I used to be"? Surely not "I didn't used to be"?

Question

What is the negative form of *"I used to be"*? I often hear *"I didn't used to be"* but that sounds awfully wrong in my ears.

Answer 1

"I didn't used to be" isn't incorrect. That is too say, while it might sound a bit off, it is perfectly fine to use. There are other options, however, such as: " I wasn't always..." or "Previously, I was not..."

Answer 2

Probably "I used to not be". However, regardless of how it's worded, it doesn't really make sense. "I was not" along with a time adverb is better.

"In the past, I was not"

Or

"I never was"

"used to be" is something I just avoid in writing.