Cherokee does not have a word construct that directly translates as “used to do”. If you want to indicate that someone or something used to do something, and does not currently do it, you create the agentive form and add the Cherokee for “was”.

Examples:

• ᎠᏠᏍᎪᎢ. Ahlosgoi. “He/she often beats him at a game.”

  • ᎠᏠᏍᎩ. Ahlosgi. “A winner.”

  • ᎠᏠᏍᎩ ᎨᏒᎢ. Ahlosgi gesvi. “He/she was a winner. He/she used to win.”

  • ᎠᏠᏍᎩ ᎨᏎᎢ. Ahlosgi gesei. “He/she was reportedly a winner. He/she reportedly used to win.”

• ᎦᏬᏂᏍᎪᎢ. Gawonisgoi. “He/she is often speaking.”

  • ᎦᏬᏂᏍᎩ. Gawonisgi. “One who speaks. A speaker.”

  • ᎦᏬᏂᏍᎩ ᎨᏒᎢ. Gawonisgi gesvi. “He/she was a speaker. He/she used to speak.”

• ᎯᏚᎲᏍᎪᎢ. Hiduhvsgoi. “You are often baking.”

  • ᎯᏚᎲᏍᎩ. Hiduhvsgi. “You are a baker.”

  • ᎯᏚᎲᏍᎩ ᎨᏎᎢ. Hiduhvsgi gesei. “You were reportedly a baker. You reportedly used to bake.”

You say “one was a doer” when you want to indicate “one used to do something”.