Used To, Be Used To, Get Used To
Used To, Be Used To, Get Used To
USED TO + INFINITIVE
- It is used when talk about habits in the past, about an action that happened or was often repeated in the
past, but now does not happen. The word "before" is usually used for translation.
- It is used to talk about SITUATIONS which are NO LONGER NEW OR UNUSUAL. We can use it in
ALL TENSES but only BE is conjugated.
They weren’t used to studying alone until they went to secondary school (BE USED + GERUND)
Eg. I had a lot of problems at first with my new job, but now I’m getting used to the company rules (GET USED TO +
NOUN)
She hasn’t got used to speaking Spanish yet, but she’s making progress (GET USED TO + GERUND)
BE CAREFUL: BE USED TO and GET USED TO DON’T CHANGE in the NEGATIVE and QUESTION FORMS
Was he used to getting up so early when HE in lived in Chicago? (QUESTION)
Exercises:
Eg. She is from France and she is new in this country. She isn’t used to speaking Spanish. (speak)
When I lived near the railway station, I …………………………………………………………….. trains going past. (hear)
When I start university, I ……………………………………………………………….. at night, so I won’t have any problem. (study)
At first they felt like strangers in their new neighbourhood, but now they ……………………………………….. with their
neighbours for hours (chat)
She moved to the centre of town and now she ………………………………………………………… the noise. Present continuous
She soon ……………………………………………………………….. on the right when she moved to Europe (drive) Past simple
At first I found it hard, but I soon …………………………………………………………….. in public. (speak) Past simple
If she wants to lose weight, then she’ll have to …………………………………………………… less. (eat)
I …………………………………………. glasses when I was a child (wear), but now …………………………………………… to contact
lenses.
Before I had the baby I …………………………………………………. (sleep) for eight hours every night.
My sister has bought a piano. She never played any instruments before, but now she ……………………………………………..
it.
KEY
1) Complete with the correct form of used to
Those people used to live next door a few months ago. (live)
Did people use to have as much money in the past as they do now? (people/have)
She didn’t use to work as hard as she does now. (not work)
My boss used to shout a lot, but he’s much calmer now. (shout)
Eg. She is from France and she is new in this country. She isn’t used to speaking Spanish. (speak)
I’ve just bought a computer but I’m not used to working with it yet. (work)
He’s learning English but he isn’t used to speaking it all the time. (speak)
When I lived near the railway station, I was used to hearing trains going past. (hear)
I lived in Italy when I was a child and I was used to speaking Italian (speak)
She starts work at 6.00 am so she is used to getting up early (get up)
When I start university, I will be used to studying at night, so I won’t have any problem. (study)
At first they felt like strangers in their new neighbourhood, but now they are used to chatting with their neighbours
for hours (chat)
Has she got used to being the only woman in the office? (she/be) Present perfect
She moved to the centre of town and now she is getting used to the noise. Present continuous
She soon got used to driving on the right when she moved to Europe (drive) Past simple
At first I found it hard, but I soon got used to speaking in public. (speak) Past simple
When I travel to Norway, I’m sure I will get used to salmon. Future simple
If she wants to lose weight, then she’ll have to get used to eating less. (eat)
Sarah is an only child. She isn’t used to sharing her toys. (not/share)
I used to wear glasses when I was a child (wear), but now I am used to/I’m getting used to contact lenses.
Before I had the baby I used to sleep (sleep) for eight hours every night.
My sister has bought a piano. She never played any instruments before, but now she’s getting used to it.