Grammar point
B2
· Daily English
used to vs. be used to
“Used to do” = a past habit. “Be used to doing” = something is now familiar.
What it means
used to + base verb talks about a habit or state that was true in the past but isn’t now: I used to smoke.
be / get used to + noun or -ing means something feels normal because of experience: I’m used to getting up early now. Note the -ing after “to” here.
💡 “used to DO” looks back. “used to DOING” is about now feeling normal.
Examples
- She used to live in Paris. (past — she doesn’t now)
- I'm not used to this cold weather. (it still feels strange)
- After a month, he got used to the noise.
Quick check
1. Choose the correct form: “I ___ walk to school every day when I was young.”
2. Choose the correct form: “He’s finally ___ driving on the left.”
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