Used to, be used to, and get used to
Learn how to talk about past habits, being accustomed to things, and the process of adapting.
- check_circleI can talk about past habits that are no longer true using 'used to'.
- check_circleI can express that I am accustomed to something using 'be used to'.
- check_circleI can describe the process of adapting to new situations with 'get used to'.
Discover
Meet today's English in a real situation — no rules yet. Read it once and try to guess the pattern in the words in bold. Underlined words open a short definition.
Emma: Hey, Liam! How is your new job in Tokyo going?
Liam: It’s going well, but it’s definitely a big change! I used to work in a quiet office in a small town, so the hustle and bustle here was a shock at first.
Emma: I can imagine! Is it hard to adapt?
Liam: A bit. I am not used to taking such crowded trains every morning. I’m trying to get used to the commute, but being squeezed against the doors is something I’m still struggling with.
Emma: That sounds intense. What about the food?
Liam: The food is amazing! I didn’t use to eat much seafood back home, but now I have it almost every day. It didn’t take me long to get used to using chopsticks for every meal, though it felt strange initially.
Emma: It sounds like you are adapting well. Just remember, whenever you move somewhere completely foreign, it always takes a while to get used to a new environment.
Liam: Thanks, Emma. Yes, I’m sure that in a few months, I will be used to everything here!
Learn
Now the rules behind what you just saw — explained simply, with examples. Underlined words open a short definition — hover on desktop, tap on a phone.
1. Used to: Past habits and states
We use used to + base verb to talk about past habits, repeated actions, or states that are no longer true in the present.
I used to live in a small town, but now I live in a big city. She didn’t use to like spicy food, but now she loves it. Did you use to play an instrument when you were a child?
In negative and question forms, remember to use use to (without the “d”): ❌ I didn’t used to go. ✅ I didn’t use to go.
2. Be used to: Being accustomed to something
We use be used to + noun / pronoun / -ing verb to say that something is normal for us. It is not new or strange anymore.
I am used to waking up early for work. She has lived in London for years, so she is used to the rain. They aren’t used to this kind of weather.
Since to is a preposition here, if a verb follows, it MUST be in the -ing form.
3. Get used to: The process of adapting
We use get used to + noun / pronoun / -ing verb to talk about the process of becoming accustomed to something. It means something is becoming normal for you over time.
I have a new job, and I am getting used to the early hours. It took him a long time to get used to driving on the left side of the road. Don’t worry, you will get used to it!
Here’s some useful vocabulary to describe situations that require adaptation:
When things feel awkward or strange initially, give yourself time. Soon enough, you’ll be used to them!
Don’t mix up “used to” with “would”
Both describe repeated past habits, but only used to can also describe past states (how things were).
- Used to: I used to live in a small town. (state — correct)
- Would:
I would live in a small town.(incorrect — “live” is a state, not a repeated action) - Either works: I used to play / would play tennis every weekend. (a repeated action — both are fine)
A listening trap: they sound almost identical
In fast, natural speech, used to /ˈjuːstə/ and be/get used to /juːzd tə/ can sound nearly the same, but they mean very different things. Listen for the context, not just the sound.
- I used to smoke. (a past habit — I don’t smoke now)
- I’m used to the smoke. (I’m accustomed to it — it doesn’t bother me, and may still be happening)
- Used to + base verb: Past habits / states that are no longer true (e.g., I used to smoke.)
- Be used to + -ing/noun: Something is normal/familiar to you now (e.g., I am used to living here.)
- Get used to + -ing/noun: The process of adapting to something new (e.g., I am getting used to the noise.)
- Watch out! In negatives and questions for past habits, drop the “d”: didn’t use to, did you use to.
- Would can replace “used to” for repeated actions, but never for states.
- Never get used to = a difficulty that stays permanently strange.
Practice
Try it yourself. You'll see right away whether you got it right, plus a short explanation of why.
Use It
Now make the language yours in a real task. Use the prompt below — the editor keeps a simple word count, and nothing is saved or graded.
Before you finish — be honest. Can you do these now?