Used to + verb refers to a habit or state in the past. It is used only in the past simple.
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 anymore.
Ex: We used to live there when I was a child.
I used to walk to work every day when I was younger.
Past states
We also say used to when we want to express a state that existed in the past but doesn't exist now.
States are not actions. They are expressed using stative verbs such as have, believe, know and like.
Ex: I used to like The Beatles when I was younger but now I don’t listen to them anymore.
He used to have long hair but nowadays his hair is very short.
Interrogative form: did(n't) + subject + use to be.
Negative form: subject + didn't + use to be.
Ex: Did(n't) he use to work in your office?
We didn't use to be vegetarians.
Be used to + noun phrase or verb-ing (in this pattern used is an adjective and to is a preposition).
If you are used to something, you have often done or experienced it, so it's not strange, new or difficult
for you.
Ex: I am used to getting up early in the morning. I don't mind it.
He didn't complain about the loud noise next door – he was used to it.
The opposite of be used to is not be used to.
Ex: - I am not used to the new filing system.
-
Don’t worry, you will work it out.
Get used to + noun phrase or verb-ing (in this pattern used is an adjective and to is a preposition)
If you get used to something, you become/get accustomed to it.
It is the process of becoming used to something.
Ex: I got used to getting up early in the morning.
After a while he didn't mind the noise in the office - he got used to it.
REMEMBER: used to + infinitive, but
Get used to and be used to + -ing.
EXAMPLE:
I used to be a good dancer when I was younger, but then I broke my left leg and quit.
I regret it, though. I’ll never get used to being an ordinary girl. I am used to being remembered as a
gifted dancer and I like that feeling. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll be able to get on the stage again
and dance my way up to the top.
EXERCISES
Instructions: Choose the best answer to fill the gap in each of the following.
1. When I started to work here I needed a lot of help, but now I __________ (do) all the work on my
own.
2. He __________ (read) several books a month but he doesn't have time any more.
3. We were surprised to see her driving - she __________ (drive) when we first met her.
4. Don't worry, it's a simple program to use. You ___________ it in no time, I'm sure.
5. When I had to commute to work every day I ____________ (get up) very early.
6. I'm afraid I'll never ___________ (live) in this place. I simply don't like it and never will.
7. Whenever we came to Coventry we always __________ (stay) at the Central Hotel. We loved it.
8. When Pete Smith was the head of our office everything ___________ (be) well organized. Now
it's total chaos here.
9. Mr Lazy was shocked when he joined our busy company because he _________ (do) much work
every day.
10. At first the employees didn't like the new open-space office but in the end they ___________ it.
Instructions: Choose the correct sentence.
a. We aren’t used to listening to that kind of music
We aren’t used to listen to that kind of music
b. She will soon get used to work here
She will soon get used to working here
c. I used to working for that company
I used to work for that company
d. We have never got used to getting up so early
We have never got used to get up so early
e. We used to getting up early but we are retired now and we don´t need to do so anymore
We used to get up early but we are retired now and we don´t need to do so anymore
f. When she moved to France she had to get used to drive on the right
When she moved to France she had to get used to driving on the right
g. We couldn´t sleep very well in Japan, we aren´t used to sleeping on the floor
We couldn´t sleep very well in Japan, we aren´t used to sleep on the floor
h. We used to travelling a lot before having children
We used to travel a lot before having children
i. The most difficult thing was to get used to eating such spicy food
The most difficult thing was to get used to eat such spicy food
j. I am used to working on the night shift
I am used to work on the night shift.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Instructions: Choose the correct option.
1. He used to ________ (be/get/being) fat but now he's thin.
2. He isn't used to __________ (work/working/feel) in these bad conditions.
3. How did you get used to __________ (work/working/concentrate) in the middle of this mess?
4. Did you ___________ (use to/used to/get used to) write poems when you were young?
5. I need some time to get used to _________ (live/living/be) in this town.
6. Sting used to ________ (work/be/being) a teacher before he became a famous singer.
7. I'm not used to __________ (wash/drying/washing) linen by hand.
8. She'll get used to ________ (playing/play/living) in the extremely cold winter of Siberia.
9. My mother didn't _____________ (use to/used to/get used to) drink much coffee. But now she has
become addicted to it.
10. There used to _______ (grow/growing/be) a lot of trees in this court yard. They have all been cut
down.