Get used to and Used to

Hobbies

What is your favourite hobby?

Why do you enjoy it?​

​Today we will learn about ​

'used to' ​+ infinitive and

'be' or 'get used to' ​+ 'ing'

By Danilo Villaverde

Today's topic

​Do you know the difference between:

I used to drive on the left and I'm used to driving on the left?

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Look at these examples to see how used to, get used to and be used to are used.

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*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!

Grammar Practice!

Choose the right option.

Multiple Choice

She _____ in a bank but she left and got a job as a gardener.

• used to work

• used to working

• got used to work

Multiple Choice

Since we had the baby I _____ much sleep.

• 'm not used to get

• 've got used to not getting

• used to get

Multiple Choice

How's the new job? _____ it yet?

• Are you used to

• Did you use to

• Do you used to

Multiple Choice

Before I retired I _____ have much time to read.

• used to

• got used to

• never used to

Multiple Choice

The engine noise was deafening but the driver _____ it.

• was used to

• used to

• didn't use to

Multiple Choice

Our house is on a steep hill, but I _____ the walk after a month of living here.

• get used to

• got used to

• used to

Multiple Choice

Don't worry! You _____ in the city centre after a while.

• 'll used to live

• 'll get used to living

• 'll get used to live

Multiple Choice

When we were at university, we _____ have to write an essay a week.

• got used to

• used to

• were used to

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.

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*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'.

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*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.

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We use get used to to talk about the process of becoming familiar with something.  

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*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.

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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.

2nd

Grammar Practice​

Multiple Choice

I always hated the cold wheather but I ____ when I Lived in Russia.

• get used to

• got used to

• used to

Multiple Choice

We _____ much positive feedback about our old product, but the new formula is really successful.

• didn't use to get

• weren't used to get

• didn't use to getting

Multiple Choice

I work from home so I _____ people around me all day.

• 'm not used to have

• 'm used to not having

• used to having

Multiple Choice

I heard Eliza got promoted! _____ her as your boss yet?

• Are you used to having

• Did you used to have

• Are you used to have

Multiple Choice

You've stopped hiking? But why? You _____ all the time.

• used to go

• got used to go

• used to going

Multiple Choice

I've been a nurse for two years but I don't know if I _____ night shifts.

• 'll ever used to work

• 'll get used to work

• 'll never get used to working

Multiple Choice

Even though I loved my old job, I _____ the long hours.

• couldn't be used to

• couldn't get used to

• couldn't use to

Multiple Choice

I _____ the guitar but I don't have time now.

• got used to playing

• used to playing

• used to play

Open Ended

PRODUCTION

Write 2 sentences:

one with “used to” talking about a past habit ;

one with “be used to” or “get used to” talking about becoming familiar

Extra!

Different conjugations of “used to” when talking about negatives and questions: 

There are two forms for a negative:

• did not/didn’t use to.

We didn’t use to have central heating when I was a child.

Alan didn’t use to like children, but it’s different now he has his own.

• used not

I used not to be able to watch myself on TV at all.

We used not to worry much about money.

Things used not to be so bad.

There are two forms for a question:​

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• did + subject + use to + base form: e.g. did he use to…?

Did they use to visit you often? – Well, Mary used to.

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• used + subject + to + base form: e.g. used he to… ?

Used he to play the guitar?