I used to vs I am used to | Learn English

Thu, 06/11/2009 – 00:59 — Chris McCarthy

Take a look at the following two sentences. what’s the difference in meaning?

“I used to drink green tea.”

“I am used to drinking tea.”

I used to something

“I used to drink green tea.”

“I used to drink green tea”, means that, in the past I drank green tea, but now I don’t. Used to describes an action that did happen, but doesn’t happen now. Check out these great examples:

“When I was young I used to play with dolls, but I don’t anymore.”
“Before I passed my driving test, I used to cycle everywhere.”

I am used to something

“I am used to drinking green tea.”

“I am used to drinking green tea”, means that, at first drinking green tea was strange and unusual, but now it has become familiar. Be used to describes an action that was, perhaps, difficult and is now easy. “I am accustomed to green tea”, has the same meaning. Read on for fantastic examples:

“It took me a while, but I’m finally used to using this new software.”
“I’m getting used to the strange smell in the factory.”
“I’ll never get used to the heat in India.”

Link: What are absolute adjectives

Link: Can you name the tenses?

Link: Use the correct word in the sentence

• When I was young, I ___ to play a lot of basketball.

  am used
  used

• I ___ waking up early for my new job.

  used to
  am used to

• I used to ___ my parents on the weekend.

  visiting
  visit

• Blackpool in England ___ the most popular tourist destination. These days, English people prefer to go abroad.

  is used to being
  used to be

• Did you ___ to work for Softec?

  used
  use

• She still isn’t ___ working at night.

  am used to
  used to

• Don’t worry. You will soon ___ used to cooking for yourself.

  be
  is
  am



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