Used To, Be Used To, Get Used To

Used To, Be Used To, Get Used To

These three expressions look similar, but they describe three different situations. Look at the examples:

• I used to wake up at 6 every day when I was a student.
  → This was my habit in the past, but I do not do it now.
• I am used to waking up at 6 every day because of my job.
  → Waking up at 6 is normal for me now.
• I am getting used to waking up at 6 in my new job.
  → It is still a change, but it is becoming easier.

Used to + basic verb → past habit or situation

Use used to + verb for something that was true or regular in the past, but is not true now.

• Ed used to work in a bank. Now he works in a pet shop.
• When I was a child, I used to play football every weekend.
• They used to live in a flat, but now they live in a house.

• Did you use to have any pets?
• She didn't use to like tomatoes.

Be used to + noun / verb-ing → something is familiar or normal

Use be used to when something is normal or familiar for you.

After be used to, use a noun or verb-ing.

• I'm used to working in bad weather.
  → Bad weather is normal for me.
• Are you used to getting up at five?
  → Is waking up at five normal for you?
• He's a businessman. He isn't used to working manually.
  → Manual work is unfamiliar for him.

Get used to + noun / verb-ing → become familiar or normal

Use get used to for the process of becoming comfortable with something new.

• When we moved here, we had to get used to driving on the right.
• At first, I didn't like my new job, but I got used to working there.
• She will soon get used to living in a new country.

Compare

• I used to live in London.
  → I lived there before, but not now.
• I am used to living in London.
  → Living in London is normal for me.
• I am getting used to living in London.
  → I am adapting to life there.

• used to + basic verb
  → past habit/situation that is not true now
  I used to play football.
• be used to + noun / verb-ing
  → something is normal or familiar
  I am used to working here.
• get used to + noun / verb-ing
  → becoming familiar with something
  I am getting used to my new job.