Different uses of 'used to'
Look at these examples to see how used to, get used to and be used to are used.
I used to want to be a lawyer but then I realised how hard they work!
How's Boston? Are you used to the cold weather yet?
No matter how many times I fly, I'll never get used to take-off and landing!
Try this exercise to test your grammar.
Read the explanation to learn more.
Grammar explanation
Used to + infinitive and be/get used to + -ing look similar but they have very different uses.
used to
We use used to + infinitive to talk about a past situation that is no longer true. It tells us that there was a repeated action or state in the past which has now changed.
She used to be a long-distance runner when she was younger.
I didn't use to sleep very well, but then I started doing yoga and it really helps.
Did you use to come here as a child?
be used to and get used to
Be used to means 'be familiar with' or 'be accustomed to'.
She's used to the city now and doesn't get lost any more.
He wasn't used to walking so much and his legs hurt after the hike.
I'm a teacher so I'm used to speaking in public.
We use get used to to talk about the process of becoming familiar with something.
I'm finding this new job hard but I'm sure I'll get used to it soon.
It took my mother years to get used to living in London after moving from Pakistan.
I'm getting used to the noise now. I found it really stressful when I first moved in.
Be used to and get used to are followed by a noun, pronoun or the -ing form of a verb, and can be used about the past, present or future.
Do this exercise to test your grammar again.
Hello Sir.
I want to applying the terms 'used to' above into my own sentences. Here are the sentences I've made:
I'll be happy to hear your feedback, thank you Sir.
Hello
You have the right understanding of these terms and have used them appropriately, but not correctly
The sections in bold and italics are correct. The meanings are 100% appropriate, but there are other errors
When I was younger, I used to procrastinate, but then I realized I needed to be more disciplined.
After a year of living abroad, I'm finally used to living without my family. OR
After years of living abroad, I'm finally used to living without my family.
This makeup tool still feels unfamiliar to me, but I'm sure I'll get used to it over time.
Hope this helps
Pepi
Hello ritanur01,
Another user, Pepi, has answered your question very fully and clearly, so please refer to that.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
1-Used to + infinitive
-Before I bought my motorcycle, I used to walk long distances on foot.
-When I was a child, I didn't use to watch horror movies.
----> A habit in the past that no longer exists now.
2- Be used + ing / noun / pronoun
a- Be used + ing:
-Because the group trip plans with my friends always failed, I'm used to going on outings alone.
-I'm used to not speaking with my new neighbor because he always thinks he is right.
b- Be used + noun:
-When I moved to the city, I was used to the sound of the train that used to wake me up while I was sleeping.
c- Be used + pronoun:
-Are you used to your new job?
-Yes, I'm used to it.
3- get used to:
-After intense training, I feel I'm getting used to swimming farther.
-I have gotten used to drinking coffee without sugar for the past two months.
Do the situations always automatically reverse if we use 'used to'?
Like if I say: 'I used to love football.' (Does this have to mean that I don't love it anymore?)
or 'I didn't use to have a dog.' (Does this have to mean that I have a dog now?)
I saw a dialogue where a grandson asked his grandpa that 'Did you use to have a servant?', and his grandpa replied 'No, I didn't. I used to help with the chores.' (Wouldn't this mean 'I have a servant now.'?) because the situation him not having a servant is no longer true anymore.
Hello henrypham02,
As you say, used to describes situations which were habitual or stable (actions or states) and which are no longer true. When the grandson asks about the servant he is asking about a potential stable past situation which would (if true) be something no longer true today, so the choice of used to is appropriate. The grandfather's reply uses the same form as it is a direct response to the question, not as a way to suggesting that he has a servant now.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hi Peter, I have a question.
Is it correct to say: I work from home, so I'm not used to having people around me all day?
Or should "not" come after "used to"?
Thanks
Hello JScar92,
You can say it either way but there is a difference in meaning:
I'm not used to having people around - this tells me that you have people around you and it is a new or difficult situation for you
I'm used to not having people around - this could mean the same (there are people around) or it could mean that there are no people and you want to tell me that this is not a problem.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Sir, could you please clarify this explanation? I am sorry; I couldn't differentiate. Can you give another example? Thanks.