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

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.”

Use it with a tutor

The fastest way to make new English stick is to say it out loud with a real teacher. Message an independent tutor directly — no commission, free to browse, reachable in mainland China.

Find a tutor →
More daily points: affect vs. effect · make vs. do · bring something up · break the ice · look forward to + -ing · its vs. it's
All daily points · Free level test · Reading practice · Guides