How to use the different uses of “used”

Main Uses
There are three main uses.

1. Used to: For a repeated state or action that was

common in the PAST but not anymore.

2. Be used to: to be familiar with something

3. Get used to: to talk about the process of becoming

familiar with something
 Used To + Infinitive
To talk about a habit or state that was common in the past that is no longer
true use: Used to + infinitive

Used to stays the same for all subjects

It is equivalent to “Solía…” in Spanish.

Examples:

When I was younger, I used to play with my toy cars for hours.

He used to smoke a pack of cigarettes a day, but not anymore.

Think about some of your past habits.

 Used to + Infinitive (continued)
To form a negative sentence or a question simply take out the letter d.

Examples:

Did you use to play sport in school?

I didn’t use to eat so fast.

Note: It is more common to see “Used To” in affirmative sentences rather than in
negative sentences.

For negative sentences, you can also use “never.”

Compare:
I didn’t use to have trouble sleeping.
I never used to have trouble sleeping.
 Be Used To
We use Be Used To to talk about something that you are
accustomed to or familiar with.

Be Used To + Verb -ing or noun.

It can be used in all tenses and is equivalent to “Estar

acostumbrado a….”

Think about something that was

new or difficult for you before but
are used to now.
 Be Used To (continued)
Examples

Affirmative: Although I don’t like it, I am used to waking up early. (-ing form)

Affirmative: The waitress was used to complaints from customers because the food
there was terrible. (noun)

Negative: I am not used to waking up early.

Negative: The waitress wasn’t used to complaints from customers.

Interrogative: Are you used to waking up early?

Interrogative: Is she used to complaints?

Note that in negative and interrogative

sentences “Used to” does NOT change.
 Get Used to
Use to talk about the process of becoming accustomed to
something.

Get Used To + Verb -ing or Noun

It is the equivalent to “Acostumbrarse a…”

It can be used in all tenses.

 Get Used to (continued)
Examples

Affirmative: After several months, I finally got used to waking up early.

Affirmative: After working at the restaurant for a few weeks, the waitress got
used to the complaints from customers and learned to ignore them.

Negative: Even after several months, I still didn’t get used to waking up early.

Negative: The poor waitress didn’t get used to the complaints from customers
and finally quit her job.

Interrogative: Did you get used to it?

Note that in negative and interrogative

sentences “Used to” does NOT change.
 Let’s Practice
I used to hate speaking in public, but now I ________ it.

When I was a child I ____________ dress up for Carnival,

but not anymore.

My children _______ eat so healthy but now as teenagers all

they want is fast food!

I don’t think I’ll ever _________ the wind in Zaragoza.

 Answers
I used to hate speaking in public, but now I am used to
it. (Estoy acostumbrada)

When I was a child I used to dress up for Carnival, but

not anymore. (Solia…)

My children used to eat so healthy but now as teenagers

all they want is fast food! (Solian…)

I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the wind in Zaragoza.

(Acostumbrarme a …)
 Extra Practice and Explanations
https://test-english.com/grammar-points/b1/usually-used-to-be-used-to-get-used-to/

https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/grammar/intermediate-grammar/used

https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/sites/teens/files/gs_used_to_-_exercises_0.pdf

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/intermediate-to-upper-intermediate/used-to-infinitive-and-be-or-get-used-to-ing