Syllabus topic 8: Used to / be used to / get used to
Used to / be used to / get used to. Used to + base verb refers to a former habit or state.
The idea
Used to + base verb describes a former habit. Be used to + noun or -ing means be accustomed to something.
Structure & examples
I am used to getting up early.
We used to live near the river.
Notice the pattern
In used to do, to belongs to an infinitive and the next verb is in its base form. In be used to doing, to is a preposition, so a verb takes -ing. Get used to describes the process of becoming accustomed to something. After did, write use to.
I used to own a bicycle.
We are used to cold weather.
Important notes & common mistakes
The to in be used to is a preposition, so a following verb takes -ing.
Before you practice
First choose a form from the options. Then produce it yourself using the word or structure in the instruction. Finally, build complete sentences. Check the explanation after each answer and revisit any mistakes in your review list.
Extended topic: Used to / be used to / get used to
Used to + base verb refers to a former habit or state. Be used to + -ing/noun describes familiarity; get used to describes the process of adapting. Change be/get for tense and subject while keeping the preposition to.
Examples in context
Notice how each form fits its sentence. Read the context before choosing a form.
I used to live abroad.
I'm used to working alone.
She is getting used to her new schedule.
Were you used to getting up so early?
He didn't use to drive to work.
Your progress
Ready to move on?
Mark this lesson as studied when you have finished the explanation.
Used to + base verb describes a former habit. Be used to + noun or -ing means be accustomed to something.
I used to ___ outside every day.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: play
Completed sentence: I used to play outside every day. Used to + base verb describes a former habit. Be used to + noun or -ing means be accustomed to something.
She is used to ___ on the left.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: driving
Completed sentence: She is used to driving on the left. Used to + base verb describes a former habit. Be used to + noun or -ing means be accustomed to something.
We are getting used to ___ in a city.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: living
Completed sentence: We are getting used to living in a city. Used to + base verb describes a former habit. Be used to + noun or -ing means be accustomed to something.
Did you ___ work here?
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: use to
Completed sentence: Did you use to work here? Used to + base verb describes a former habit. Be used to + noun or -ing means be accustomed to something.
Question 1 of 50% complete
I am used to ___ early.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: getting up
Used to + base verb describes a former habit. Be used to + noun or -ing means be accustomed to something.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: play
Completed sentence: I used to play outside every day. Used to + base verb describes a former habit. Be used to + noun or -ing means be accustomed to something.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: driving
Completed sentence: She is used to driving on the left. Used to + base verb describes a former habit. Be used to + noun or -ing means be accustomed to something.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: living
Completed sentence: We are getting used to living in a city. Used to + base verb describes a former habit. Be used to + noun or -ing means be accustomed to something.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: use to
Completed sentence: Did you use to work here? Used to + base verb describes a former habit. Be used to + noun or -ing means be accustomed to something.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: walk
Completed sentence: Use walk after used to: We used to walk to school. Used to + base verb describes a former habit. Be used to + noun or -ing means be accustomed to something.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: waking
Completed sentence: Use wake after am used to: I am used to waking up early. Used to + base verb describes a former habit. Be used to + noun or -ing means be accustomed to something.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: working
Completed sentence: Use work after getting used to: He is getting used to working nights. Used to + base verb describes a former habit. Be used to + noun or -ing means be accustomed to something.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: live
Completed sentence: Use live after used to: She used to live here. Used to + base verb describes a former habit. Be used to + noun or -ing means be accustomed to something.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: eating
Completed sentence: Use eat after are used to: They are used to eating late. Used to + base verb describes a former habit. Be used to + noun or -ing means be accustomed to something.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: We used to live near the river
Used to + base verb describes a former habit. Be used to + noun or -ing means be accustomed to something. The to in be used to is a preposition, so a following verb takes -ing.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: I used to own a bicycle
I used to own a bicycle. Used to + base verb describes a former habit. Be used to + noun or -ing means be accustomed to something. The to in be used to is a preposition, so a following verb takes -ing.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: We are used to cold weather
We are used to cold weather. Used to + base verb describes a former habit. Be used to + noun or -ing means be accustomed to something. The to in be used to is a preposition, so a following verb takes -ing.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: She is getting used to her job
She is getting used to her job. Used to + base verb describes a former habit. Be used to + noun or -ing means be accustomed to something. The to in be used to is a preposition, so a following verb takes -ing.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Did you use to live here
Did you use to live here? Used to + base verb describes a former habit. Be used to + noun or -ing means be accustomed to something. The to in be used to is a preposition, so a following verb takes -ing.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: live
Completed sentence: I used to live abroad. Used to + base verb refers to a former habit or state. Be used to + -ing/noun describes familiarity; get used to describes the process of adapting. Change be/get for tense and subject while keeping the preposition to.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: working
Completed sentence: I'm used to working alone. Used to + base verb refers to a former habit or state. Be used to + -ing/noun describes familiarity; get used to describes the process of adapting. Change be/get for tense and subject while keeping the preposition to.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: to
Completed sentence: She is getting used to her new schedule. Used to + base verb refers to a former habit or state. Be used to + -ing/noun describes familiarity; get used to describes the process of adapting. Change be/get for tense and subject while keeping the preposition to.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: getting up
Completed sentence: Were you used to getting up so early? Used to + base verb refers to a former habit or state. Be used to + -ing/noun describes familiarity; get used to describes the process of adapting. Change be/get for tense and subject while keeping the preposition to.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: use
Completed sentence: He didn't use to drive to work. Used to + base verb refers to a former habit or state. Be used to + -ing/noun describes familiarity; get used to describes the process of adapting. Change be/get for tense and subject while keeping the preposition to.
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