“used to + infinitive’ and ‘be/get used to”

People often get confused about the use of used to + infinitive and be/get

used to + ‘ing’ form because they look similar. They are, however,
completely different.

‘used to + infinitive’

We use ‘used to’ to talk about things that happened in the past – actions or
states – that no longer happen now.

 She used to be a long distance runner when she was younger.

 I used to eat meat but I became a vegetarian 5 years ago.

The negative is ‘didn’t use to’ and questions are formed with ‘Did you use to
…?’
There is no present tense equivalent of ‘used to’. To talk about present habits
we use the present simple and an adverb of frequency (usually, always, often,
never, etc.)
e.g. I often eat at the Japanese restaurant in the city centre.

‘be/get used to’

If you are used to something, you are accustomed to it – you don’t find it

unusual. If you get used to something or you are getting used to something
you are becoming accustomed to it – it was strange, now it’s not so strange.

 I found Slovak food very strange at first but I’m used to it now.
 I’m getting used to driving on the right.

Both ‘be used to’ and ‘get used to’ are followed by a noun (or pronoun) or
the gerund – the ‘ing’ form of a verb.

 I can’t get used to getting up so early. I’m tired all the time.
 He’s not used to the weather here yet. He’s finding it very cold.

‘Be/get used to’ can be used with past, present and future tenses.

 You might find it strange at first but you’ll soon get used to it.
 He wasn’t used to the heat and he caught sunstroke.
For each sentence, choose a variety of "used to", "be used
to" or "get used to". Use the verb in the brackets to make the
sentence.

1. European drivers find it difficult to ________________ (drive) on the left

when they visit Britain.

2. See that building there? I _________________ (go) to school there, but

now it's a factory.

3. I've only been at this company a couple of months. I

_______________(still not) how they do things round here.

4. When I first arrived in this neighbourhood, I _________________ (live) in

a house. I had always lived in apartment buildings.

5. Working till 10pm isn't a problem. I _________________(finish) late. I did

it in my last job too.

6. I can't believe they are going to build an airport just two miles from our
new house! I will __________________(never) all that noise! What a
nightmare.

7. His father _______________(smoke) twenty cigars a day - now he doesn't

smoke at all!

8. Whenever all my friends went to discos, I _______________(never go)

with them, but now I enjoy it.

9. I ______________ (drive) as I have had my driving licence almost a year

now.

10. When Max went to live in Italy, he _________________(live) there very

quickly. He's a very open minded person.
 used to, be used to, get used to

Find the mistake in each sentence and then, correct the mistake.

1.I can't be used to getting up so early.

_________________________________________.

2. Working at night isn't so bad. I'm use to it now.

_________________________________________.

3. Did you use to having a pet when you were younger?

_________________________________________.

4. I was an only child, so I wasn't used to share a room.

_________________________________________.

5. Before I got married I used to watching football every Saturday.

_________________________________________.

7. I don't use drink coffee after about 6.30 because it keeps me awake.

_________________________________________.

8. We haven't been used to having a new baby yet!

_________________________________________.

9. People in Spain usually eating quite late in the evening.

_________________________________________.