GET USED TO

be / get used to (doing) vs. used to (do)

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A conflict used to exist between the farmers and the lions. The Masai are used to lions attacking their livestock. The lions got used to seeing the scarecrows.

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Be used to

We use be used to (doing) to talk about something that is or isn’t familiar.

Alice is used to being responsible - she looks after her little sister.

I’m not used to so much homework.

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get used to

We use get used to (doing) to talk about the process of something becoming familiar.

I can’t get used to my new smartphone. It’s really difficult to use

I didn’t like living in a city when I moved here, but I’m getting used to it.

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Used to

We use used to (do) to talk about situations that were true in the past but are not true anymore.

I used to live in London.

People used to send more letters.

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GET IT RIGHT!

Did you used to be a cautious child?

Did you use to be a cautious child?

I could never be used to living in a cold country.

I could never get used to living in a cold country.

My aunt lives in Australia so she gets used to hot weather.

My aunt lives in Australia so she is used to hot weather.

Jack can’t get used to wear a uniform for school

Jack can’t get used to wearing a uniform for school

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Language in action

Ben: Do you like living in Canada? Kate: Not really. I _________ live in Spain where it was hot everyday. I ___________ to wearing lots of clothes every time I go out. Ben: There must be something you like. Kate: Well, I’m learning to ski. I found it really difficult at first, but I _____________ to it. Ben: What do you miss most from Spain? Kate: I miss my friends. I ______________ have lots of friends, but I don’t know anyone here. I ____ also not ____ to speaking English all the time. I always spoke Spanish with my friends back home, but, slowly, I am ___________ to it.

used to

am not used

am getting used

used to

am

used

getting used

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Can you remember the rules?

• When we want to talk about something being normal or familiar, we can use the expression be used to. We use get used to to refer to the process of something becoming normal or familiar.

I live in the city, so I’m used to all the noise. It took him a while to get used to eating dinner early.

• These expressions are followed by a noun or the gerund (-ing) form of a verb.

I’m not really used to spicy food They’re getting used to living in a small apartment.

• These expressions are not the same as used to. We use used to to refer to past habits or states which are no longer true. used to is followed by an infinitive without to.

I used to love their music, but now I never listen to it.

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Talk in pairs or groups.

When you were six years old what …

games / play?

be / like?

look like?

hobbies / have?

books read?

sports play?

TV programmes like?

pets / have?

Are you the same now? Why? Why not?

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Work in pairs. Think of ideas to complete each sentence.

I recently got a dog. I used to … I’m not used to … I’m getting used to …

I recently moved from London to Krakow in Poland. I used to … I’m not used to … I’m getting used to …

I recently started a new school. I used to … I’m not used to … I’m getting used to …

I recently started running. I used to … I’m not used to … I’m getting used to …

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Acknowledgements

The authors and publishers acknowledge the following sources of copyright material and are grateful for the permissions granted. While every effort has been made, it has not always been possible to identify the sources of all the material used, or to trace all copyright holders. If any omissions are brought to our notice, we will be happy to include the appropriate acknowledgements on reprinting and in the next update to the digital edition, as applicable. The publishers are grateful to the following for permission to reproduce copyright photographs and material: Slide 2 (L): ©Christina Krutz/Radius Images/Getty Images; Slide 2 (C): ©Delpixel/Shutterstock; Slide 2 (R): ©Martin Harvey/Gallo Images/Getty Images; Slide 3 (L): ©Jim Craigmyle/Corbis; Slide 3 (R): ©SimplyCreativePhotography/E+/Getty Images; Slide 4 (L): ©Geber 86/E+/Getty Images; Slide 4 (R): ©Diogo salles/Moment/Getty Images; Slide 5 (L): ©Global Warning Images/Alamy; Slide 5 (R): ©Paul Maguire/Alamy Stock Photo; Written by Emma Szlachta

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