Different uses of 'used to'

Do you know the difference between I used to drive on the left and I'm used to driving on the left? Test what you know with interactive exercises and read the explanation to help you.

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.

Grammar test 1: 'used to' + infinitive and 'be' or 'get used to' + '-ing': Grammar test 1

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.

Grammar test 2: 'used to' + infinitive and 'be' or 'get used to' + '-ing': Grammar test 2

Try another grammar lesson

Language level

B2 Upper intermediate

Hello again dear teacher 🖐

Can we use various kinds of infinitives in "Be +to verb" Construction?

And can we use 'be going to' in this construction?

Please give me some examples of this. It will be more helpful for me.

Thank you.

Hello again Sartaj,

Can we use various kinds of infinitives in "Be +to verb" Construction?

Yes, you can. Continuous, perfect and passive infinitive forms are all possible. Perhaps you can try to come up with some examples and we'll tell you if they are grammatically correct.

And can we use 'be going to' in this construction?

I can't think of a situation in which this would be possible. You already have a future marker in 'be to...' so a second one showing intention does not fit, I think.

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Thank you very much dear teacher.

My another question related to this-

Can we use model verbs in 'be said to+ verb' and 'be to+verb' constructions and in their passive voices?

Thanks

Hello again sartaj,

Please provide an example of what you have in mind and we'll comment on it.

Peter

The LaearnEnglish Teama

I will soon be used to retired life.

I will soon get used to retired life.

Do both sentences are correct and have same meaning ?

If yes, then can we write the above sentence like:

I will soon become used to retired life. ?

Thanks

I have been used to it.

You have to be used to it.

Are these sentences correct?

And can we use may, might, can, could, will, would etc. with "get used to" and "be used to" structures?

Like:

I may get used to...

I can get used to...

I might get used to...

Or you must have to get used to...

Thanks

Hello jassa,

I have been used to it.
You have to be used to it.
Are these sentences correct?

Grammatically they are possible but I don't know what you intend to say and if they match the internded meaning.

And can we use may, might, can, could, will, would etc. with "get used to" and "be used to" structures?
Like:
I may get used to...
I can get used to...
I might get used to...

Those are all possible sentences.

Or you must have to get used to...

This is not correct as 'must' and 'have to' have similar meanings and we do not use them together.

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Thank you very much for the answer dear sir🙏👍

Hello dear sir, please check this sentence...

1.We used to live in London before we moved to France.

Can we write this sentence as:

"We lived in London before we moved to France"?

If yes, then what is the difference between two sentences?

Thanks🙏

Hello jassa,

Both forms are possible. Used to describes something which was true in the past but is not finished and which was a state for a period of time or an action which was habitual, normal or typical. The past simple also describes a finished action in the past, and like used to it can describe states or habits, but unlike used to it can also describe single events.

In your example you are describing a past state, so both forms are possible.

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team