Used To, Be Used To and Get Used To Exercises
Do more with this exercise
Past habit, familiar now, or becoming familiar?
Used to + base verb describes a past habit or state that has changed. Be used to + noun/-ing means something is familiar. Get used to + noun/-ing means it becomes familiar over time.
- Past habit:
- I used to walk to school. That was my habit before; it is different now.
- Familiar situation:
- I am used to walking to work. Walking to work is normal for me now.
- Change over time:
- I am getting used to walking to work. It is becoming easier or more familiar.
- The form after to:
- After used to for a past habit, use the base verb. After be/get used to, to is a preposition, so use a noun or an -ing form.
- Negative and question:
- For a past habit, use didn't use to and Did you use to...?. With be used to, change be: Are you used to...?
Examples
I used to live near the sea, but now I live inland.
past state that changed
I am used to living in a busy city now.
the situation is familiar
She is getting used to working from home.
the situation is becoming familiar
We didn't use to eat so late.
negative past habit after didn't
Are you used to the cold weather?
a noun phrase follows the preposition to
Audio uses a synthetic voice.
Practice exercises
Choose the meaning and form
Choose the form that fits the meaning of the whole sentence.
1.I ___ coffee, but I stopped drinking it last year.
2.After five years here, she ___ the cold winters. They no longer bother her.
3.The new timetable feels strange, but I ___ it little by little.
4.He didn't ___ early when he was a student.
5.Are you ___ on crowded trains every day?
6.When I was a child, we ___ near my grandparents, but we moved away.
Complete the expression
Type the missing form shown by the meaning. Include all words in the missing phrase.
Fix the used to form
Replace the incorrect phrase with the correct one. Keep the rest of the sentence.
13.Choose the mistake in this sentence.
14.Choose the mistake in this sentence.
15.Choose the mistake in this sentence.
16.Choose the mistake in this sentence.
17.Choose the mistake in this sentence.
18.Choose the mistake in this sentence.
Three meanings of used to
These three expressions look similar, but they answer different questions. Used to asks what was true in the past and is different now. Be used to asks what feels normal to someone. Get used to describes the change from unfamiliar to familiar.
The verb form after to is the quickest clue. A past habit takes a base verb: “I used to walk.” Familiarity takes a noun or an -ing form: “I am used to the walk” or “I am used to walking.” The same rule applies to get used to: “I am getting used to walking.”
Notice the time and the speaker's experience. If the sentence says “but now I don't,” it probably describes a changed past habit. If something no longer feels strange, it is familiar. If it still feels strange but is becoming easier, the speaker is getting used to it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between used to and be used to?
Used to + base verb describes a past habit or state that changed. Be used to + noun or -ing says that something is familiar now.
What does get used to mean?
It describes becoming familiar with a situation: “I'm getting used to my new job.” The process may still be happening.
Why is it used to working, not used to work?
In be used to, to is a preposition. A verb after a preposition takes the -ing form: “She is used to working late.”
Is it didn't used to or didn't use to?
Write didn't use to for the negative past-habit form. Did already carries the past tense.
Answer key
1. I ___ coffee, but I stopped drinking it last year.
Answer: used to drink
The habit ended last year, so use used to + base verb.
2. After five years here, she ___ the cold winters. They no longer bother her.
Answer: is used to
The winters are familiar now, so use is used to.
3. The new timetable feels strange, but I ___ it little by little.
Answer: am getting used to
Little by little describes the process of becoming familiar.
4. He didn't ___ early when he was a student.
Answer: use to get up
After didn't, the past-habit form is use to + base verb.
5. Are you ___ on crowded trains every day?
Answer: used to travelling
After be used to, use an -ing form: travelling.
6. When I was a child, we ___ near my grandparents, but we moved away.
Answer: used to live
The past-state form is used to + base verb: used to live.
7. I ___ to school every day, but now I take the bus.
Answer: used to walk
The walking habit has changed: used to walk.
8. She ___ in a noisy office now; the noise doesn't distract her.
Answer: is used to working
The office is familiar, so use is used to + working.
9. We ___ the new software slowly. It is easier each week.
Answer: are getting used to using
The change is still happening: are getting used to using.
10. He ___ vegetables, but now he enjoys them.
Answer: didn't use to eat
After didn't, use use to + base verb.
11. I ___ the early train now. I take it every morning without trouble.
Answer: am used to taking
Taking the train is familiar: am used to taking.
12. At first the city felt strange, but she ___ there.
Answer: got used to living
The past form of get used to is got used to; it takes living.
13. I used to living near the station, but I moved away.
Answer: I used to live near the station, but I moved away.
A changed past state takes used to + base verb.
14. She is used to work at night; it feels normal to her.
Answer: She is used to working at night; it feels normal to her.
After be used to, use the -ing form.
15. He didn't used to like olives, but now he does.
Answer: He didn't use to like olives, but now he does.
After didn't, write use to.
16. The new job is difficult, but I am used to it gradually.
Answer: The new job is difficult, but I am getting used to it gradually.
Gradually describes a process, so use am getting used to.
17. Are you used to drive on the left now?
Answer: Are you used to driving on the left now?
After are used to, use driving.
18. When she was young, she was used to play outside every day, but she doesn't now.
Answer: When she was young, she used to play outside every day, but she doesn't now.
A past habit that has changed takes used to play.