Used to – be/get used to | English grammar | English EFL
People often get confused about the use of used to + infinitive and be/get used to + ‘ing’ formbecause they look similar. They are, however, completely different.
How to Use Used to
Form
Positive Sentence:
Subject + used to + V(infinitive).
Negative Sentence:
Subject + didn’t use to + V(infinitive).
(We can also use never used to + infinitive. In more formal or written English, used not to + infinitive is sometimes used.)
Question form:
Did + subject + use to + V(infinitive)?
How to Use
We use the structure used to do something when we talk about something we did regularly in the past, but do not do it now. Used to is different to the past simple because it emphasizes that the action was repeated many times.
Example:
He used to go to our school.
We also use used to + the infinitive for past situations. It emphasizes that the situations are no longer true.
She used to be overweight but became she a model last year.
How to Use Be/Get Used to
Form
Positive Sentence:
Subject + be/get used to + noun/pronoun/gerund.
Negative Sentence:
Subject + not be/not get used to + noun/pronoun/gerund.
Question Form:
Be + subject + used to + noun/pronoun/gerund?
And
Auxiliary verb + subject + get used to + noun/pronoun/gerund?
How to Use
Be used to is used to express that a situation is not new or strange, or is no longer new or strange. You have experienced it many times.
Examples:
He is used to swimming every day.
I‘m not used to getting up early.
Get used to is used to express that an action/situation becomes less strange or new, or becomes more comfortable.
Examples:
Staff will have to get used to a new way of working.
I could not get used to driving on the wrong side of the street!
Note:
– Used to is about the past so there is no present or future form.
– In the negative didn’t use to and the question did you use to, notice that there is no d on use.
– Be used to can be modified with adverbs.
Example:
I’m very used to his strange behavior now.
