How to use "used to" in English
There's a big difference between used to live – to talk about past habits or states and is used to doing – to talk about something that you are now familiar with.
For example, a common mistake is "I am used to study."
Do you mean that you used to study, but you don't study any more, or do you mean that you know about studying?
Avoid making mistakes by remembering the verb pattern.
Used to + verb describes a past habit or state.
For example:
He used to smoke, but he doesn't now."
To be used to + verb with ing describes something that you are now familiar with.
For example, "Five years ago, I didn't know about the internet. Now I am used to working with it."
36 comments
Thanh
In your explaination to Star above, "When I moved to Italy, I got used to eating pasta". Does it mean now "I" don't eat pasta anymore(because it's used to express past habit but not now)?
In your explaination to Star above, "When I moved to Italy, I got used to eating pasta". Does it mean now "I" don't eat pasta anymore(because it's used to express past habit but not now)?
Clare
No, it means that before I didn't eat past. "Get used to" means "get the habit". Don't confuse it with "used to", which means "habit in the past".
No, it means that before I didn't eat past. "Get used to" means "get the habit". Don't confuse it with "used to", which means "habit in the past".
Khalid
Can we use: I am used to+v-ing, or I was used to+v.ing? what is the difference? and the same thing with (got) can we say (get) used to instead of (got) used to? what is he difference?
Can we use: I am used to+v-ing, or I was used to+v.ing? what is the difference? and the same thing with (got) can we say (get) used to instead of (got) used to? what is he difference?
Clare
I am used to (now), but I was used to (then). I get used to = I become used to something (now). I got used to = I became used to something (in the past).
I am used to (now), but I was used to (then). I get used to = I become used to something (now). I got used to = I became used to something (in the past).
Neetu
Need a clarification ....suppose I am telling something about my past life to somebody like....I used to be very naughty when I was 10 years old. I used to trouble people, I didn't used to study, I used to disobey my teachers, I used to get punished. Now My question is do I need to say or mention "used to " again & again in my sentences or is there any other way to say these sentences. I'll be highly obliged if you could help me or rephrase my sentences if they are wrong.
Need a clarification ....suppose I am telling something about my past life to somebody like....I used to be very naughty when I was 10 years old. I used to trouble people, I didn't used to study, I used to disobey my teachers, I used to get punished. Now My question is do I need to say or mention "used to " again & again in my sentences or is there any other way to say these sentences. I'll be highly obliged if you could help me or rephrase my sentences if they are wrong.
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