Be used to, get used to, used to
How to use be used to, get used to and used to correctly.
| Be used to | |
| If you are used to something, you have often done or experienced it; it is not strange, new or difficult for you. Structure: Be used to + noun phrase or verb (-ing form) |
I am used to getting up early in the morning. I don't mind it. He didn't complain about the neighbours’ loud party – he was used to the noise. |
| We can also say be used to someone. | I don’t think Tom’s strange – I’m used to him. |
| Negative: be not used to | I don't understand him: I'm not used to his accent yet. |
| Get used to | |
| Structure: Get used to + something / someone Get used to + verb (-ing form) |
I got used to his Scottish accent after a while . I got used to waking up early in the morning. |
| If you get used to something, you become accustomed to it; it is no longer unusual or strange. Get used to is the process of becoming used to something. |
After a while he didn't mind the noise in the office; he got used to it. |
| Used to | |
| Used to + verb infinitive refers to a habit or state in the past. It is used only in the past simple tense. | |
| Past habits If you used to do something, you did it for a period of time in the past, but you don't do it any more. |
We used to live there when I was a child. I used to walk to school every day when I was a child. |
| Past states We also say used to to express a state that existed in the past but doesn't exist now. States are NOT actions. We express states with stative verbs such as have, believe, know and like. |
I used to like The Beatles, but now I never listen to them. He used to have long hair, but now it’s very short. I used to believe in magic when I was a child. |
| Structure of questions: did(n't) + subject + use to be |
Did(n't) he use to work in your office? |
| Structure of negative: subject + didn't + use to be |
I didn't use to like wine, but now I love it. |
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