For habitual actions in the past:
* Elle avait l'habitude de... (She was used to...) - This is the most common and versatile way to express past habits.
* Example: *Elle avait l'habitude de lire avant de dormir.* (She used to read before going to sleep.)
* Elle faisait souvent... (She often did...) - This emphasizes the frequency of the action.
* Example: *Elle faisait souvent du vélo quand elle était jeune.* (She often rode her bike when she was young.)
For actions that happened in the past but don't happen anymore:
* Elle faisait... (She used to...) - This is a more informal way to express a past action.
* Example: *Elle faisait du théâtre, mais elle a arrêté.* (She used to act, but she stopped.)
For actions that were true in the past but may not be anymore:
* Elle était... (She was...) - This emphasizes a state of being in the past.
* Example: *Elle était très sportive.* (She was very sporty.)
Important note: The tense you use in the verb after "elle avait l'habitude de," "elle faisait," or "elle était" will determine the specific time period you're referring to. For example, "elle avait l'habitude de *jouer* au tennis" implies that she used to play tennis in the past but doesn't necessarily play anymore.
Remember to choose the phrase that best suits the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.