Used to, Be Used to, Get Used to

Master past habits, present adaptation, and the process of becoming accustomed

Grammar chart explaining 'used to', 'be used to', and 'get used to' with examples for B1-B2 English learners.

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🟦Used to + Infinitive

For past habits or repeated actions, and situations/states no longer true.

✅ When I was a child, I used to go skiing every winter. (repeated action)
✅ I didn’t use to smoke before I got this job. (negative form)
✅ As a child, I used to be blond. (past state)
✅ Did you use to study in the library when you were in uni? (question form)

🟨Present Habits → Use “Usually”

“Used to” has no present form. Use usually + present simple for current habits.

❌ We use to go to the cinema on Friday evenings.
✅ We usually go to the cinema on Friday evenings.
✅ She normally drinks coffee in the morning.
✅ I often walk to work these days.

🟩Be Used To (+ noun / -ing)

Means you are accustomed to something. It’s a state — never continuous.

✅ Now I’m used to getting up at 6 a.m.
✅ I’m not used to this cold weather.
✅ She’s used to working late hours.
✅ He wasn’t used to city life when he first moved here.

🟪Get Used To (+ noun / -ing)

Describes the process of becoming accustomed to something.

✅ I’m still getting used to waking up so early.
✅ You’ll get used to the noise after a few days.
✅ It took her months to get used to living alone.
✅ They’re getting used to the new manager’s style.

🟥Structure Rules & Common Mistakes

❌ I’m used to wake up early.
✅ I’m used to waking up early. (“to” is a preposition → verb + -ing)

❌ She used to working late.
✅ She used to work late. (“used to” + infinitive)

❌ I am used to drive on the left.
✅ I am used to driving on the left.

📌 Quick Summary

Used to + infinitive → Past habits or states (no longer true).
Be used to + noun/-ing → You are already accustomed (state).
Get used to + noun/-ing → You are in the process of becoming accustomed.
Present habits? → Use usually, often, normally + present simple.

📌 Remember:
Used to → only for the past (habits/states)
Be used to → current state of being accustomed
Get used to → ongoing process of adaptation
⚠️ After “be/get used to”, always use a noun or -ing verb — never infinitive!