USED TO + INFINITIVE / BE USED TO + ING

Used to + infinitive and Be used to + -ing are two completely different expressions which are easily confused.

USED TO + INFINTIVE

We use Used to + infinitive to talk about past habits and states which are now finished. Used to + infinitive can only be used to refer to the past. It cannot be used to talk about present habits or states.

EG. I used to smoke (but now I have stopped)

EG. I didn't use to like cheese (but now I love it!)

Notice that the verb "use" is considered a regular verb.


BE USED TO + -ING/NOUN PHRASE

If a person is used to something, or used to doing something, it is familiar; he or she has experienced it so much that it is no longer strange or new.

EG. I've lived in Central London for six years now, so I'm used to the noise.

EG. She is used to driving at night.

EG. It was a long time before she was completely used to working with old people.

Note that get, become and grow can also be used before used to + ing.

EG. I lived in France for six years, but I never got used to shaking hands with people all the time.

EG. Little by little, he became used to his new family.


Watch the following video:

Now do the following online activity:

USED TO, GET USED TO, BE USED TO