Used To, Be Used To, and Get Used To

I see students struggle with the same things every year. One of the biggest “trouble spots” is knowing when to use used to, be used to, and get used to. They all look very similar, don’t they? But in this English grammar guide, I will show you that they actually have very different meanings. If you use the wrong one, your sentence might mean something completely different than what you want!

As a teacher, my goal is to make these rules easy to understand so you can speak English with confidence. Let’s dive into this English grammar guide together.

1. Used To: Talking About the Past

We use used to when we talk about things that happened regularly in the past but do not happen now. Think of it like a bridge that has been broken; you can see where it was, but you cannot cross it anymore.

The Structure

• Affirmative: Subject + used to + Verb (base form)
• Negative: Subject + did not use to + Verb (base form)
• Question: Did + subject + use to + Verb (base form)?

Teacher’s Tip: Notice that in negative sentences and questions, we drop the “d” from “used.” It becomes “use to” because the word “did” already tells us it is in the past.

Examples

1. I used to play with dolls when I was five. (I don’t play with them now).
2. He used to smoke, but he quit last year.
3. We did not use to like broccoli, but now we love it!

Quick Chart: Used To

For more details on past habits, you can visit the British Council’s page on used to.

2. Be Used To: Talking About Familiarity

This phrase is very different. We use be used to when we want to say that something is normal or not strange for us. If you are comfortable with something, you are “used to” it. This English grammar guide emphasizes that this is a state, not an action.

The Structure

• Subject + be (am/is/are) + used to + (Noun or Verb-ing)

Examples

1. I live in a big city. I am used to the noise. (The noise is normal for me).
2. She is a nurse. She is used to working at night.
3. They are from Alaska, so they are used to cold weather.

Quick Chart: Be Used To

You can check the Cambridge Dictionary for more formal definitions of this structure.

3. Get Used To: Talking About Change

If “be used to” describes a state of being comfortable, get used to describes the process of becoming comfortable. It is the journey from something being “strange” to something being “normal.” This is a very important part of our English grammar guide because it shows movement and change.

The Structure

• Subject + get + used to + (Noun or Verb-ing)

Examples

1. I just moved to Spain. I am getting used to the hot weather. (I am in the process).
2. It was hard at first, but I finally got used to my new job. (The process is finished).
3. Don’t worry, you will get used to the new rules soon! (Future process).

Quick Chart: Get Used To

Comparing the Three: The Big Picture

To help you remember, look at this comparison table in our English grammar guide. This will help you see the differences side-by-side.

Why This Matters

As a teacher, I have seen many students lose points on exams because they write “I am used to wake up early.” This is wrong! Because “used to” here is followed by a preposition, you must use a noun or a gerund (-ing). My years of experience helping students pass their English exams have taught me that small details like the “-ing” after “be used to” make a huge difference in how “native” you sound.

This English grammar guide is based on real classroom data. Most intermediate students understand “used to” for the past quite quickly, but they forget that “be used to” and “get used to” are about familiarity. Trust me, if you master these three, your English will sound much more natural.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even if you read this English grammar guide many times, you might still make mistakes. Here are the most common ones I see in my secondary school classes:

1. Mixing up the ending:
   • Wrong: I used to living in London.
   • Right: I used to live in London.
2. Forgetting the “be” verb:
   • Wrong: I used to the cold.
   • Right: I am used to the cold.
3. Using the base verb after “be used to”:
   • Wrong: I am used to drive on the left.
   • Right: I am used to driving on the left.

For more practice on these common errors, BBC Learning English has excellent video resources.

Practice Corner

Let’s see what you learned from this English grammar guide! Try to fill in the blanks with the correct form.

1. When I was a child, I __________ (go) to the beach every summer.
2. I have lived in Canada for ten years, so I __________ (the snow).
3. I just started my new diet. I am still __________ (eat) less sugar.
4. Did you __________ (have) long hair when you were younger?

(Answers: 1. used to go, 2. am used to, 3. getting used to, 4. use to)

Here is a PDF worksheet you can download to practice this English grammar guide, the answers are on a separate page.

Conclusion

Understanding the “used to” family is a major step for any intermediate student. Whether you are talking about your childhood habits, your current lifestyle, or a new change in your life, using this English grammar guide will help you choose the right words.

Remember:

• Used to = The Past.
• Be used to = It is normal now.
• Get used to = It is becoming normal.

Learning English is a journey. You won’t get everything perfect today, but you are getting better every time you study an English grammar guide like this one. Keep practicing, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes!

Additional Helpful Information

Study about how to use Active Voice – How to Use Active Voice

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