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Grammar & Usage

Used To, Get Used To & Be Used To

Tanya TruslerNovember 28, 2013

I used to study English every day, but it still took a while to get used to all the rules. Now I am used to English grammar!

Used to, get used to, and be used to are three verb forms with similar structures but different meanings. Students often get them confused because they look and sound similar, so explicit instruction that compares and contrasts these three forms is beneficial and appreciated!

Try presenting used to, get used to, and be used to using the comparison chart below. Then get your students to practice with the discussion questions at the end of this post or the grammar exercise in our Grammar & Usage Resource on Used To, Get Used To & Be Used To.

Comparison Chart

Used To, Get Used To & Be Used To – Grammar & Usage Resources

1. Used To

Form

Used To + Base Verb

Used to is always followed by a base verb. Note that used to follows normal simple past verb rules, so it becomes use to with the auxiliary verb did in questions and negative statements.

Usage

Used to is a unique expression in English. Its form and function are similar to a modal (i.e., it gives extra information about the verb and is followed by a base verb). Used to shows that an action was performed repeatedly in the past, but is no longer performed in the present. It is commonly used when talking about long periods in the past (e.g., childhood, school years, past job, etc.).

Examples

  • I used to eat meat, but I don’t anymore.
  • They used to study English every day in high school.
  • Did you use to play video games when you were a child?
  • My teacher didn’t use to give us any homework. Now we get homework every day!

2. Get Used To

Form

Get Used To + Noun/‑ing Verb

Get used to is followed by a gerund (‑ing verb) or a noun. In this expression, the used to part will never change to use to. Only get changes to reflect the verb tense.

Usage

Get used to indicates that something is becoming familiar. Use this expression for a new habit or routine. Though it is possible to use get used to for both positive and negative experiences, it is more commonly used with negative situations (e.g., when something is difficult).

Examples

  • I am getting used to living with my new roommate.
  • Our new teacher quickly got used to our large, multicultural class.
  • They couldn’t get used to the noisy neighborhood, so they moved.
  • Has your brother gotten used to his new boss yet?

3. Be Used To

Form

Be Used To + Noun/‑ing Verb

Be used to is followed by a gerund (‑ing verb) or a noun. Note that the used to part will never change to use to. Only be will change to reflect the verb tense.

Usage

Be used to indicates that something has become familiar. Use this expression when something is now a habit or routine (and has been going on for a while). Like get used to, it is possible to use be used to for both positive and negative experiences, but it is used for negative situations slightly more often.

Examples

  • She is used to getting up at 6:00 am because she does it every day.
  • Is your friend used to the noise from the construction site next to her office?
  • The teacher wasn’t used to answering so many questions during class.
  • By this time next year, I will be used to living in Brazil.

Practice

Get your students to ask each other the following discussion questions to practice used to, get used to, and be used to.

  1. What is something that you used to do as a child but no longer do now?
  2. Name five things that you are used to doing every day.
  3. Think of a time when you started a new hobby. Was it hard to get used to it? How long was it until you were used to it?
  4. Imagine you have to move to a new city. Do you think you’ll have a hard time getting used to living there? How about another country?
  5. What types of TV shows did you use to watch when you were younger? What do you enjoy watching nowadays?

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Comments (59)

Leave a Comment

Abraham (Guest)

Hey

Do these two sentences make a difference in meaning?
I used to drive to work.
I was used to driving to work.

Thanks

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Tanya Trusler(Author)

Hi Abraham,

Good question! Yes, the meanings are very different. 'I used to drive to work' means that you drove to work every day last year, for example, but you don't any more. Maybe now you take the train instead of driving.

'I was used to driving to work' means that when you drove to work every day, you were comfortable and familiar doing so. Maybe someone asked you, 'Didn't all the traffic stress you out?' and you said, 'No, I was used to driving to work', meaning that it didn't bother you.

Hope that helps!
Tanya :)

Mary R.(Teacher)

Actually, I would say that 'I was used to driving to work' has more of a meaning of 'I 'used to' 'be used to' driving to work', i.e. I was comfortable driving to work in the past, but something happened recently and now I am not comfortable driving to work' OR if you are just telling a story completely in the past (I 'was'...) and are describing your comfort with your driving skills (all in the past)---> 'I was used to ('be used to' in the past) driving to work'

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Tanya Trusler(Author)

Thanks for your comment, Mary. Your second comment is what I was describing before (your comfort level in the past). But I didn't consider your first comment, and it's a good point! 'I was used to driving to work' could imply that you stopped or something happened, and you're no longer comfortable with it.

ahnaf (Guest)

I want to know what is the difference between 'I get used to' and 'I am getting used to'.Is it continious and indefintite??

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Tanya Trusler(Author)

Hi Ahnaf,

I can't think of a time when we'd use the simple present with 'get used to' because the simple present is a repeated action and 'get used to' is more or less one time. 'Get used to' is just the base form of the verb.

But to answer your question, let's compare 'getting used to' and 'got used to.' Yes, getting used to is continuous, so for example, if you were taking snowboarding lessons and had completed two of five lessons, you could say 'I'm getting used to snowboarding' because you aren't completely used to it yet. If you said 'I got used to snowboarding pretty quickly because I took some lessons last year' it would mean that you're now used to snowboarding.

Hope that helps!

Chantheary chheun(Guest)

Hey
Do these two sentences have a different meaning?

I'm not used to driving on the left.
I didn't get used to driving on the left.

Reply
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Tanya Trusler(Author)

Hi there,

Yes, those sentences have different meanings. 'I'm not used to driving on the left' means that you have tried it and are CONTINUING to do it, but aren't comfortable with it yet.

'I didn't get used to driving on the left' means that you tried it, but STOPPED doing it, and never felt comfortable with it.

Ana (Guest)

I love the chart. It was just what I needed to help my class get their head around this. Thanks. They came up with a great example to use with all three types: I used to drive on the right. When I came to New Zealand I had to get used to driving on the left. Now I'm used to it. I drew a little image on the whiteboard to help those having difficulty understanding the concept change from 'used to'. We finished by changing these affirmative statements into negative and question forms and using them in pairs.

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Tanya Trusler(Author)

Hi Ana, great to hear! I love the example your class came up with.

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Anonymous A.(Teacher)

A very interesting blog - thank you for that.
I found the vocabulary used in the meaning rather complex though

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Tanya Trusler(Author)

Thanks, Steve! For lower level learners, you could simplify things a bit:

'Get used to' means something is becoming familiar or common. Example: I joined a gym last week. I'm getting used to exercising every day.

'Be used to' means something is already familiar or common.
Example: I joined a gym last year. I'm used to exercising every day.

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Dave (Guest)

After searching up and down, right and left throughout the entire web, your explanation was the most simple and yet complete of all. Thanks a bunch
Oh, my doubt was about the structure of the interrogative form of 'got used to'. I wasn't sure if 'used' remained in past or it had to be changed to 'use' in present with the use of the auxiliary 'did'

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Tanya Trusler(Author)

Thank you for your kind words, Dave! I'm glad you found the answer you needed.

Green (Guest)

Hi Mrs. Tanya

I am a student, are these statements correct?

I used to warm weather.
I am used to warm weather.
I am getting used to warm weather.
I will get used to warm weather.

Reply
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Tanya Trusler(Author)

Hi Green,

All of your sentences except the first one are correct! 'I used to warm weather' isn't correct. We have to use 'used to' with another verb. So, for example, 'I used to love warm weather, but now I prefer the cold' or 'I used to swim in warm weather' are correct. Hope that helps!

Rodolfo F.(Teacher)

Now this is the kind of material ESL could make some more of. You guys have covered Used to very well, with a section that explains what someone does NOW and used to do THEN; The next step would be to use Get used to, Getting used to and Be+Used to and make some activities that would promote using all of those in order to make sentences. Something like:
Alternative A: She wants to move to Canada, but it's too cold in the winter.
Answer: She needs to get used to the cold winter.
Alternative B: She moved to Canada 5 years ago, but still struggles in the Winter.
Answer: She is getting used to the cold winter in Canada.
Alternative C: She has no more problems going through the winter in Canada.
Answer: She got used to the cold weather/She is now used to the cold winter in Canada.

Something like that would be very productive and make my students happy.

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Tanya Trusler(Author)

Sorry that I didn't see this comment until today, Rodolfo! Great ideas. We've had a few requests for more materials with used to, be used to, and get used to, and we have some Grammar & Usage Resources in the works!

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Chloe (Guest)

Very helpful and concise!
Just what I needed to iron out some confusion! I will be printing and distributing the chart!
Thank you very much :)

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Tanya Trusler(Author)

Happy to hear it, Chloe! Glad you found it useful.

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