Used to-Be Used to-Get Used to

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Grammar – 14 - Upper Used to/Be used to/Get used to

Let’s study the differences between these 3 different structures and how to use them. • Used to We use used to to talk about past habits, repeated actions, situations or states that have changed. When we are talking about these situations, the structure in the affirmative is: Subject + used to + base form (infinitive without to) Examples:

When I was young, I used to walk to school. (I don't walk to school anymore.) Before I had a baby, I used to sleep 8 hours a night. (But unfortunately I don't sleep 8 hours anymore.) My mom and I used to go to church every Sunday. (We don't go to church together anymore) This store used to open at 8:00. (Now it opens at 9:00) Examples from the dialogue:

You used to be more sympathetic. You used to be more responsible. Now let's take a look at the Question Form: Did + subject+ use to + verb in the base form? Examples:

Did he use to smoke? What did you use to do when you were a child? Did they use to go to that club when they were younger?

As you can see, the question is in the simple past, so we use the auxiliary verb did and used to changes to use to, in the base form. The same way we form all the questions in the simple past, right? And the same happens in Negative Sentences: Subject + didn’t use to + verb in the base form Examples:

I didn’t use to smoke. I started smoking when I lost my job. He didn't use to have a beard. They didn't use to be afraid of dogs. Now pay attention to a very important tip: Used to is ONLY used in the past tense. It is used to talk about habits, routines, or states in the past. You cannot use it to talk about the present, ok?

But what if I want to talk about my habits or routine in the present, teacher? Can't I say I use to do something? No, you can't. For present habits, we use: Subject + usually + verb in the simple present Examples:

I usually go to work by bike. (Don't say I use to go to work by bike, ok?) They usually take the bus to work. She usually goes to the gym in the morning.

• Be used to We use be used to to talk about something that is familiar to you, something that is not new or unusual. We also use it to talk about something that is easy for you to do because you’ve done it so many times or for so long. The structure is: Subject + Be (am/is/are) used to + verb with ING

Examples:

We are used to reading bad news every day. I'm used to working overtime. She's used to living alone. To form negative sentences, we just add not after the verb be. Examples:

I have to get up at 5:30 for my new job. I'm not used to getting up so early. They just moved to London. They're not used to driving on the left. He's really nervous about his presentation. He's not used to speaking in public. Now pay attention!! Don't confuse these two forms: 1) I'm used to doing something 2) I used to do something I'm used to doing something. (I'm familiar with that situation) Example:

I'm used to teaching English. (I've taught English for a long time, so I'm used to doing it = I’m familiar with it) My mom used to teach English.

(My mom was an English teacher but she's retired now. She doesn't teach English anymore) And last but not least, we have the structure:

• Get used to We use get used to talk about a new situation that we're becoming more familiar with, the act of becoming used to something or doing something. The structure is: Get used to + verb with ing or object.

And we can use get used to in many different verb tenses. Examples:

I'm getting used to speaking in public. I got used to living in São Paulo. My sister is not getting used to living in the United States. But I always tell her: Don't worry! You'll get used to living there. In the dialogue Professor Amid used this structure and said to Hideki: Get used to sleeping less at night. So keep that in mind:

• Used to is ALWAYS followed by the base form of a verb and can only be used in the simple past; • Be used to and get used to are always followed by verb with ING and can be used in all verb tenses.