Used to vs Be Used to vs Get Used to Explained with Examples, Illustrations and a Quiz

Three phrases look almost the same, but they do very different jobs:

• used to

• be used to

• get used to

  
  

That tiny difference before `used to` changes the meaning completely. One talks about the past. One talks about being comfortable with something. One talks about becoming comfortable with something.

Let’s make the difference clear with examples, memory tricks, illustrations, and a self-test at the end.

The quick difference

Here is the shortest way to understand them.

Phrase	Meaning	Structure	Example
used to	A past habit or past state that is no longer true	`used to + base verb`	I used to live in Manchester.
be used to	Be familiar or comfortable with something	`be used to + noun / -ing`	I am used to cold weather.
get used to	Become familiar or comfortable with something	`get used to + noun / -ing`	I’m getting used to my new phone.

The key question is this:

Are you talking about the past, a current comfort level, or the process of adapting?

Use `used to` for past habits and past states

Use used to when something was true in the past, but is not true now.

The structure is:

`subject + used to + base verb`

Examples:

• I used to play football every Saturday.

• She used to have long hair.

• We used to live near the sea.

• There used to be a small shop on this corner.

  
  

In these sentences, the speaker is showing a contrast between the past and now.

Past	Now
I played football every Saturday.	I do not play every Saturday now.
She had long hair.	She does not have long hair now.
We lived near the sea.	We do not live there now.

Common mistake with `used to`

Do not say:

• I used to went there.

• She used to was shy.

  
  

Say:

• I used to go there.

• She used to be shy.

  
  

After used to, use the base verb, not the past form.

Questions and negatives with `used to`

In questions and negatives, many speakers use use to, not used to, because `did` already shows the past.

Examples:

• Did you use to work here?

• Did they use to visit often?

• I didn’t use to like coffee.

• He didn’t use to drive.

  
  

In everyday speech, `use to` and `used to` often sound almost the same, so this is mainly a writing issue.

Use `be used to` when something feels normal

Use be used to when someone is familiar with something. It does not mean the thing is easy, perfect, or enjoyable. It means it is no longer strange.

The structure is:

`subject + be + used to + noun / -ing verb`

Examples:

• I am used to early mornings.

• She is used to driving on the left.

• They are used to noisy neighbours.

• We were used to working from home.

  
  

Notice the verb after `to`:

• I am used to wake up early. Incorrect

• I am used to waking up early. Correct

  
  

Here, `to` is a preposition, not part of an infinitive. That is why we use a noun or an `-ing` form after it.

Mini illustration

Think of be used to like this:

Situation	Meaning
I am used to the rain.	Rain feels normal to me.
He is used to speaking English at work.	Speaking English at work feels normal to him.
They were used to the old system.	The old system felt normal to them.

The verb `be` can change tense:

• I am used to it.

• I was used to it.

• I will be used to it soon.

  
  

Use `get used to` for the process of adapting

Use get used to when someone is becoming familiar with something. It focuses on the change.

The structure is:

`subject + get + used to + noun / -ing verb`

Examples:

• I’m getting used to my new job.

• She got used to living alone.

• We’ll get used to the noise.

• It took me a month to get used to the new timetable.

  
  

The idea is movement from “strange” to “normal”.

Simple process illustration

Stage	Example
New and strange	This new keyboard feels odd.
Adapting	I’m getting used to it.
Normal	I’m used to it now.

So, these two sentences are different:

• I am used to waking up early.

• I am getting used to waking up early.

  
  

The first means waking up early already feels normal.

The second means it is still becoming normal.

Compare all three in real situations

Let’s put the three forms side by side.

Example 1

• I used to live in London.

• I am used to busy trains.

• I got used to the noise after a few weeks.

  
  

Meaning:

• In the past, I lived in London.

• Busy trains feel normal to me.

• At first, the noise was difficult, then it became normal.

  
  

Example 2

• She used to be nervous about speaking English.

• She is used to speaking in class now.

• She got used to it by practising every week.

  
  

Meaning:

• She was nervous before.

• Speaking in class feels normal now.

• Practice helped her adapt.

  
  

Example 3

• We used to eat dinner at 6 pm.

• We are used to eating later now.

• It took a while to get used to the new routine.

  
  

Meaning:

• The old habit was dinner at 6 pm.

• Eating later now feels normal.

• The change needed time.

  
  

A simple memory trick

Use these three questions:

1. Am I talking about the past?

Use used to.

Example:

• I used to cycle to school.

  
  

2. Am I talking about something that feels normal now?

Use be used to.

Example:

• I am used to cycling in the rain.

  
  

3. Am I talking about becoming comfortable with something?

Use get used to.

Example:

• I am getting used to cycling in traffic.

  
  

Common mistakes to avoid

Here are the mistakes learners make most often.

Incorrect	Correct	Why
I am used to wake up early.	I am used to waking up early.	After `be used to`, use a noun or `-ing`.
I used to waking up early.	I used to wake up early.	After `used to`, use the base verb.
I get used to drive on the left.	I got used to driving on the left.	After `get used to`, use a noun or `-ing`.
Did you used to live here?	Did you use to live here?	With `did`, use the base form.

Self-test quiz slides

Try the questions first. The answers are below.

1

Choose the correct sentence.

A. I used to waking up late.

B. I used to wake up late.

C. I am used to wake up late.

2

Complete the sentence.

She is used to __________ in cold weather.

A. run

B. running

C. ran

3

Choose the best meaning.

“I’m getting used to my new flat.”

A. I lived there in the past.

B. The flat feels normal already.

C. The flat is becoming more familiar.

4

Choose the correct sentence.

A. We didn’t use to eat out much.

B. We didn’t used to eat out much.

C. We weren’t used to eat out much.

5

Complete the sentence.

It took him two weeks to __________ the new timetable.

A. used to

B. be used to

C. get used to

6

Choose the correct form.

When I was younger, I __________ play the piano every day.

A. used to

B. am used to

C. got used to

Answer key

1. B

   `used to + base verb`

   
   

2. B

   `be used to + -ing`

   
   

3. C

   `get used to` means become familiar with something.

   
   

4. A

   With `didn’t`, use `use to`.

   
   

5. C

   The sentence describes the process of adapting.

   
   

6. A

   The sentence describes a past habit.