In English, "过去常常做某事" can be expressed in a number of ways depending on the context and the degree of frequency. Here are some common phrases:
1、Used to do something: This phrase is often used in the past tense to indicate that someone used to engage in a particular activity but stopped doing it. For example, "I used to play basketball every day when I was younger."
2、Had a habit of doing something: This phrase suggests that someone had a regular practice of doing something over an extended period. For instance, "She had a habit of reading before bed every night."
3、Was accustomed to doing something: This expression implies that someone was familiar with or comfortable with a certain behavior or routine. For example, "He was accustomed to waking up early for work."
4、Regularly did something: This phrase indicates that someone engaged in a particular activity on a consistent basis. For example, "He regularly exercised at the gym three times a week."
5、Used to spend time doing something: This expression suggests that someone enjoyed spending a significant amount of time on a particular activity in the past. For instance, "We used to go hiking every weekend when we were first dating."
Overall, the key to expressing "过去常常做某事" in English is to choose the right phrase or combination of phrases that accurately conveys the intended meaning and context.