Past Simple
used to
be used to / get used to
used to + infinitive
We use ‘used to’ to talk about things that happened in the past – actions or states – that no longer happen now.
- I used to eat meat but I became a vegetarian 5 years ago.
The negative is ‘didn’t use to’
The 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 + ving
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’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.
We can use the -ing form of the verb:
• as a noun:
I love swimming.
Swimming is very good for your health.
You can get fit by swimming regularly.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.
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