Used to and be used to look almost the same, but they do different jobs. The clues are the time and the word after them.
- Used to + a verb: a habit or fact from the past that is not true now.
- Be used to + -ing or a noun: something feels familiar to you now.
- Get used to + -ing or a noun: you are becoming familiar with something.
Used to: it was true, but not any more
Use used to with the plain form of a verb. It tells us about a habit or situation that has finished.
I used to walk to school. Now I take the bus.
Leo used to be afraid of dogs.
We used to live near the sea.
Mia didn't use to like tomatoes. Now she loves them.
In questions and negatives, use did and the plain use to, with no d: Did you use to play chess?
Be used to: it feels normal now
Use be used to (am, is, are, was, were) with a noun or the -ing form. It means that something is familiar, so it does not feel strange.
I am used to the cold.
Sam is used to getting up early.
We are used to noisy buses.
Are you used to eating lunch at noon?
Here to is a small word like in or at (a preposition), so a verb after it takes -ing.
Get used to: becoming familiar
It took Mia a week to get used to her new school.
You will get used to the cold soon.
I am getting used to my new glasses.
Easy way to tell them apart
Ask two quick questions.
- Is it a past habit that stopped? Use used to + plain verb.
- Is it something that feels normal now? Use be used to + -ing or a noun.
I used to walk to school. (past habit)
I am used to walking to school. (it feels normal now)
💡 The OddLingo Trick
Used to is a ghost from the past. It was here, and now it is gone.
Be used to is a comfy sofa. You sit on it now, and it feels familiar. A sofa is for being, so use be and -ing: be used to doing.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Be used to needs -ing.
❌ I am used to wake up early.
✅ I am used to waking up early.
Used to needs a plain verb.
❌ I used to walking to school.
✅ I used to walk to school.
After did, say use, not used.
❌ Did you used to play chess?
✅ Did you use to play chess?
Do not leave out be.
❌ I used to the cold.
✅ I am used to the cold.
📌 Good to know
- Say used to as "YOOST to", with an S sound. The verb to use is said "yooz".
- Used to is for things that went on for some time. For a single event, use the simple past: ✅ I visited the zoo last Tuesday. ❌ I used to visit the zoo last Tuesday.
- Used to has no present form. To talk about a habit now, use the present simple: I walk to school every day.
💬 In a conversation
Sam: I used to be scared of the school bus.
Mia: And now?
Sam: Now I'm used to riding it. Yesterday I even sang on it.
Mia: Has the driver got used to that?
Sam: Not yet.