What is the difference between 'used to' and 'be used to'? Usage of 'used to', 'be used to' and 'get used to'.

Used To

We use 'used to' when we talk about things in the past which are no longer true.

☞ It's used when we talk about habits or repeated actions in the past which no longer happen.

• He didn’t use to smoke, but he does now.

• I used to play the piano when I was in high school.

• I sometimes used to swim in the lake when I was young.

• What games did you use to play at school?

• How did you use to spend time with your family in summer? 

☞ It's used when we talk about states in the past which are not true now.

• We used to be good friends when we were in college.

• Mia used to be afraid of dogs, but now she has a dog.

• She used to work as a teacher, but now she's a writer.

• We used to live in France, but we don’t live in France now.

• There used to be a factory in this town, but it was closed years ago.

Be Used To

We use 'be used to' when we talk about something that is not new or strange for someone. It tells us that someone is accustomed to or familiar with a particular situation or experience.

• I am used to getting up early.

• I am not used to cold weather.

• I’m not used to people lying to me.

• She is used to living on her own.

• We are used to traveling frequently.

• Are you used to working with a team?

Get Used To

As 'be used to', the phrases 'get used to', 'become used to', and 'grow used to' are also used to talk about a current situation or habit. While expressing the same meaning, 'get used to', 'become used to', and 'grow used to' are used more to indicate the adaptation process.

• I am getting used to working here.

• You will become used to the cold soon.

• It is hard to grow used to living here.

Common Mistakes

Summary