Sentences with get used to examples. Rules for using "Used to

Turnovers used to do and be used to do can often be heard in the speech of the heroes of films or TV shows, as well as read in the text of a book or article. These constructions are constantly used by native speakers. English learners often confuse these expressions as they sound almost the same. Therefore, in the article we will clearly demonstrate the difference between the designs used to do and be used to do.

used to do. It used to be different!

We use used to do when we talk about old habits, states and repetitive actions that were in the past. All these habits and states are gone now. Therefore, this expression can only be used in the past tense − used to. into Russian used to It is usually translated as a verb in the past tense. Sometimes the word "before" is added to the translation to emphasize that it is no longer so.

I used to eat a lot of chocolate but now I am on a diet. - Before I ate a lot of chocolate, but now I'm on a diet. (habit in the past)

When I worked as a postman, I used to get up early. When I worked as a postman, I got up early in the morning. (regular action in the past)

She used to be very busy but now she is retired. - Before she is was very busy, but now she is retired. (condition)

Expression used to do something is usually used in affirmative sentences, but you can also find it in a negative or a question. There is one feature in negative sentences: an auxiliary verb and a particle ( did not) in most cases are replaced by the word never(never). In the table you will see how sentences are built with the construction used to do.

used to do
Statement	I, You, He, She, It	used to do something.
Negation	I, You, He, She, It	did not use / never used to do something.
Question	Did I, you, he, she, it	use to do something?

He used to live alone. - Before is he lived one.

I did not use to like him but now I do. - He told me didn't like it before but now I like it.

I never used to watch TV. - I AM never looked TV before.

Did you use to live in London? - You used to live in London?

Remember that the expression used to do applies only to the past tense. If you want to talk about habits and regular activities in the present, use tense.

Expression used to do There are several analogues: and. True, with would there is one caveat. Would shows only regular actions and habits in the past, we cannot use this verb to describe a state.

When I was young, I used to play / would play / played with dolls. - When I was little, I played with dolls.

I used to/ would live near Hyde Park. - I AM used to live near Hyde Park.

Be used to do. Already used to

Expression be used to do means we are used to something. For us, this is no longer a novelty, not unusual, not strange. This construction is translated into Russian by the word "get used to it." Synonymous be used to do is the expression be accustomed to.

I found Vietnamese cuisine quite strange at first but now I am used to it. = I found Vietnamese cuisine quite strange at first but now I am accustomed to it. - At first, Vietnamese cuisine seemed rather strange to me, but now I used to To her.

He was not used to take an umbrella every morning when he moved to London. = He was not accustomed to taking an umbrella every morning when he moved to London. - He not used to taking take an umbrella with you every morning when you move to London.

Unlike used to, be used to can be used in the present, past and future tenses. To do this, you need to change the form of the verb to be. Because there is a verb to be, then we do not need an auxiliary verb do (did).

Be used to
Statement	I, You, He, She, It	am, is, are (were, were)	used to something / someone / doing something.
Negation	I, You, He, She, It	am, is, are (were, were) not	used to something / someone / doing something.
Question	Am, Is, Are (Was, Were)	I, you, he, she, it	used to something / someone / doing something.

He is used to stay away from home. - He used to being away from home.

Are they used to the cold weather? - They used to for cold weather?

I am not used to him and his behaviour. - I AM not used to to him and his behaviour.

He was not used to drive on the left side of the road. - To him it was weird to drive on the left side of the road.

Beyond Expression be used to, there is another option - get used to. Be used to shows an action that has already been completed, that is, we are either used to it or not. Get used to demonstrates the process of habituation, that is, now a person is trying to master what is new or unusual for him.

She started working at nights and is still getting used to sleeping during the day. She started working at night and still getting used to sleep afternoon.

She had to get used to living in a smaller house. - She had to get used to living in a smaller house.

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Test

The expressions used to do and be used to doing in English

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In English, to express repeated actions in the past can be used "used to" construction.

Formation Method Used To

used to + I verb form

For example:
I used to go to the beach every day.
Before I every day went to the beach.

The construction "used to" is undesirable to use in interrogative and negative sentences, but, sometimes, in colloquial English, such use occurs. However, in interrogative and negative sentences, it is better to use Simple Past.

Used To

An action that happened frequently in the past

"Used to" is used to describe actions that used to happen quite often, but now don't happen at all. When translating into Russian, the words "before", "before", etc. are often added.

For example:
Jerry used to study English.
Jerry used to study English.

Sam and Mary used to go to Mexico in the summer.
Sam and Mary used to travel often to Mexico in the summer.

I used to start work at 9 o'clock.
Before I started work at 9 o'clock.

Christine used to eat meat, but now she is a vegetarian.
Before Kristina ate meat, and now she's a vegetarian.

Individual facts or general provisions in the past

"Used to" can be used to describe particular facts or general statements that used to be true but are no longer true. When translating into Russian, the words "before", "before", etc. are also often added.

For example:
I used to live in Paris.
Before I lived in Paris.

Sarah used to be fat, but now she is thin.
Before Sarah was fat, but now she's skinny.

George used to be the best student in class, but now Lena is the best.
Before George was the best student in the class, but now the best Lena.

oranges used to cost very little in Florida, but now they are quite expensive.
Before oranges in Florida cost very cheap, but now they are very expensive.

Used To or Simple Past

Both "used to" and Simple Past can be used to describe repeated events in the past, isolated facts that are no longer true. However, "used to" is preferred when affirmative sentences emphasize the repetition of actions in the past. However, in interrogative and negative sentences, Simple Past is preferred.

For example:
You used to play the piano.
Before you played on the piano.

Did you play the piano when you were young?
you as a child played on the piano?

You did not play the piano when you were young.
As a child you didn't play on the piano.

Interrogative and negative sentences using Used To

As mentioned above, the use of "used to" in interrogative and negative sentences is undesirable. However, sometimes this usage still occurs.

In questions verb used acts as an ordinary verb, and the question is constructed as an ordinary general question.

For example:
Did you use to watch Mickey Mouse?
Have you looked before Mickey Mouse?

Did you use to like school?
Did you enjoy studying at school?

Similarly, a negative sentence with the verb used built in the usual way.

For example:
I didn't use to watch Mickey Mouse.
I AM haven't looked before Mickey Mouse.

The following form is also possible:

I used not to watch Mickey Mouse.

would verb

Like the construction "used to", the verb would can be used to express repeated actions in the past.

In some cases would is completely analogous to "used to".

For example:
I used to go swimming twice a week. – I would go swimming twice a week.
I AM used to go swimming two times a week.

However, in most cases, would, as opposed to "used to", denotes actions that happened from time to time, without contrasting it with the present moment. With such use would used with indicators of the time when the action took place. into Russian would translated with the words "before", "before".

For example:
When I was young, I would visit my grandmother every summer.
As a child, I used to visit grandmother every summer.

Would cannot be used to describe states, individual facts, or general positions in the past, but can only be used for repeated actions in the past.

For example:
I would play the piano. ( Wrong)
I used to play the piano. ( Right)
I used to play the piano.

Here you can take a lesson on the topic: The turnover "Used to" in English and cases of its use. "Used to" and its Cases of Usage.

Along with the simple past tense, there are some expressions in English that also convey actions in the past. The most used and famous of them is turnover. With this turnover, you can express almost all the same actions as in the Past Simple tense. The turnover used to is often used, and not only in colloquial, but also in literary speech.

The main function of the turnover used to is an expression of actions or events that were repeated in the past, which were familiar then, but do not occur in the present. For example:

I used to collect stamps but I don "t any more. - I used to collect stamps / had a habit of collecting stamps, but I don't do it anymore.

I. The turnover used to has its own peculiarities of use and meaning.

1. First, let's get acquainted with form turnover used to affirmative, negative and interrogative situations.

(+)
I used to - I had a habit
you used to - you had a habit / you had a habit
he used to - he had a habit
she - used to - she had a habit
it used to - he / she had / had a habit (inanimate)
we used to - we had a habit
they used to - they had a habit

(-)
I didn "t use to - I didn't have a habit
you din "t use to - you didn't have a habit / you didn't have a habit
he didn "t use to - he didn't have a habit
she didn't use to - she didn't have a habit
it didn't use to - he / she didn't / had a habit (inanimate)
we didn't use to - we didn't have a habit
they didn't use to - they didn't have a habit

(?)
Did I use to..? - Did I have a habit of...?
Did you use to..? - Did you have a habit / Did you have a habit of ..?
Did he use to..? - Did he have a habit of...?
Did she use to..? - Did she have a habit of...?
Did it use to..? - Had/Did he/she have the habit of..?
Did we use to..? - Did we have a habit of ..?
Did they use to..? - Did your habit..?

As can be seen from the conjugation, the turnover used to does not change in faces or numbers and has no abbreviations. Negative and interrogative forms are formed using the auxiliary verb did, which takes on the role of the past tense. For this reason, the turnover used to loses the usual ending -ed / d.

The turnover has no present and future tenses. Particular attention should be paid phonetic side turnover. Since the voiced and voiceless consonants d and t stand together, the sounds merge - /"ju:ztə/.

2. In sentences after turnover used to usually followed by the usual infinitives:

(+) He used to play tennis there. - He used to play tennis there. / He used to play tennis there.
(-) We didn't use to attend the company meetings. - We didn't have the habit of attending company meetings. / We haven't attended company meetings before.
(?) did they use to wake up early? - Did they have a habit of waking up early? / Did they wake up early before?

However, there are cases where used to is followed by nouns or gerunds. For example:

There used to be a school there. - There used to be a school.
He was used to driving fast. He was accustomed to fast driving.

II. Concerning values turnover used to, then it practically does not differ from the Past Simple time. Let's look at a few use cases:

1. First of all, used to describes actions and events that occurred regularly in the past, which later stopped. For example:

When I was a child me and my parents used to go to our country house - When I was a child, my parents and I used to go to our country house.
I used to climb the trees when a child. - I used to climb trees when I was a child.

2. Unlike some other ways of expressing the past tense, turnover used to can express Not only dynamic actions in the past, but also the state of . For example:

He used to cycle to his work. He had a habit of cycling to work. (dynamic action)
People used to think that the earth was flat. People used to think the earth was flat. (condition)

To express habitual actions in the past, there is also the phrase would + infinitive. However, this turn cannot describe states in the past, as used to. Let's look at examples:

She would walk to the nearest station every day. - He used to walk daily to the nearest station. (dynamic action)
There used to be an ancient monastery there. - There used to be an ancient monastery here. (State)

3. There are also types of turnover used to, which have slightly different shapes and meanings. For example, be used to or get used to.

The turn be used to also denotes habitual actions, however, due to its flexible form, it can be used both in the past and in the present tense. For example:

I was used to typing fast. I used to type fast. (Past Simple)
He is used to the city life. He is accustomed to city life. (Present Simple)

The turn get used to means "acquire a habit", and can be used past, present and future time. For example:

She got used to the cold climate. She is used to the cold climate. (Past Simple)
I "m gradually getting used to it. - I'm gradually getting used to it. (Present Continuous)
They will get used to each other. - They will get used to each other. (Future Simple)

The turnover used to and its varieties can often occur in the words of famous people. For example:

Nothing is wonderful when you get used to it. (Edgar Watson Howe) - Nothing pleases when it becomes habitual. (Edgar Watson Howe)
I used to be indecisive, but now I "m not sure. (unknown) - I was indecisive, but now I'm not sure. (Author unknown)
Pessimism, when you get used to it, is just as agreeable as optimism. (Arnold Bennett) - Pessimism, when it becomes habitual, is just as acceptable as optimism. (Arnold Bennett)
When I was young, I used to think that wealth and power would bring me happiness. I was right. (Gahan Wilson) - When I was young, I thought that wealth and power would make me happy. I turned out to be right. (Guyan Wilson)
The trouble with our times is that the future is not what it used to be. (Paul Valery) - The main problem of our time is that the future no longer looks like it used to look. (Paul Valery)

Thus, we examined the phrase used to, its form and meaning in sentences, some features of use, as well as possible synonymous phrases. In order to consolidate the lesson, remember what habits you had in the past, which are no longer there, and try to express them in English using the phrase used to.

This is where the lessons end. We have done a great job, if you have studied everything diligently, you have received the minimum knowledge in learning English, the foundation that will be necessary in the further study of the language. Now you can continue studying in our other lessons,

Some constructions of the English language are not always clear to Russian-speaking students, since many of them are not only unique, but also structurally similar. In particular, sometimes the complexity is delivered by the turns used to, be used to, get used to. However, despite their external similarity, they differ from each other. Moreover, if such constructions as to be used to and to get used to have a similar meaning, then the phrase used to has a completely different and distinctive meaning. Therefore, the difference between these structures must be clearly defined, otherwise their correct use in speech will be impossible.

Design features used to

The modal verb used to (and it refers specifically to modals, since it conveys not an action, but an attitude to a certain situation) is a reflection of a situation in the past. Its main difference from other modals is that it is used exclusively in the past tense, in particular, in Past Indefinite. After this construction, only a simple infinitive with a particle to is always used.

The most popular translation of this phrase is “it happened in the past”, that is, the construction is used to show the frequency or regularity of an action performed in the past, but is no longer relevant in the present. In sentences with used to, you cannot meet the Present or Past tenses, since it can only be used with Past.

Note: The situation with the use of used to allows the use of another structure - would, which is essentially its equivalent. However, there are two important nuances here. First, would is typical of formal and business speech and is rarely used in colloquial English. Second, you can't pass state with would, only an action.

Here are some examples:

David used to have a habit of smoking much when he was a student - Previously, when David was a student, he had the habit of smoking a lot (i.e. now he does not have such a habit)
I used to be the best swimmer of all my friends - I used to be the best swimmer of all my friends (i.e. now I am not one)

Interrogative sentences

A question with this construction is formed differently than with most other modal verbs. The fact is that the auxiliary verb did should appear here, and the rule for constructing an interrogative sentence will be standard: auxiliary verb - subject - our construction. In this case, the ending -ed of modal will naturally disappear:

· Did they use to waste much money? Have they spent a lot of money before?

negatives

The construction used to in English can also be used in a negative sense. A negation with this structure is formed according to the principle typical of the Past tense: there must also be an auxiliary verb here, i.e. the phrase “used not to” is grammatically incorrect. Here are examples of what such a negative construction looks like:

I didn’t use to be here in my childhood - I didn’t go here before as a child
She didn't use to spend too much time with her parents - She didn't spend too much time with her parents before

Design features to be used to

The structure to be used to carries a completely different meaning. It translates as “to get used to”, and one important feature that needs to be taken into account is that after it only the form of the verb with the ending –ing (to be used to doing) is used. A possible equivalent to this form is to be accustomed to, a form that has the same meaning and is also used with V–ing. This design looks like this:

Alex is used to sleeping much on weekends - Alex is used to sleeping a lot on weekends
You will be used to working on holidays - You will get used to working on holidays

The second example shows that this expression can be used not only in the past, but also in the future, and in the present tense.

Questions

In interrogative sentences with this structure, the verb to be in the appropriate form is placed first, followed by the subject, followed by the verb form with the ending –ing and the remaining members of the sentence:

Is he used to spending much time playing computer games? Is he used to spending a lot of time playing computer games?

Negative forms

Grammar also allows the formation of negations. The rules are standard, all structural parts remain unchanged, only the particle not appears:

· We are not used to eating eastern food - We are not used to eating oriental food.

Design features to get used to

This is another structure that is also related to the habituation value. It must also be followed by a verb with the ending –ing (to get used to doing). The main difference from the previous construction is that that option demonstrates a certain completeness of the action, that is, the speaker emphasizes that he is already used to a certain action or state. This construction is rather necessary in order to directly show the process of adaptation and getting used to a particular phenomenon, mastering something new. Time with this expression can be anything:

The water in that house was terrible; I had to get used to it - The water in that house was terrible and I had to get used to it.
· I'm getting used to eating fruit or vegetables every day - I'm starting to get used to eating fruits and vegetables every day.

Questions

Since the verb get is included in the construction structure, an auxiliary verb should appear in questions with this expression, which will be at the very beginning of the sentence:

Did he get used to working at his new office? Has he started to get used to working in his new office?
Will they get used to sleeping under the sky? Will they get used to sleeping in the open?

Negative forms

Negations with construction are also possible. Nothing new appears here, except for the particle not and the corresponding auxiliary verb:

I didn’t get used to living in my sister’s home - I couldn’t get used to living in my sister’s house

Thus, it can be noted that even such apparently similar constructions can have different, and sometimes completely different meanings. In order to better navigate these structures, you can try to perform various exercises on the difference between all these structures. Such training will help you better understand their context and not make mistakes when using them.

For those who study English, it can be difficult to master the “used to, be / get used to” rule. Many people simply confuse similar-sounding constructions. To use these phrases correctly, you need to understand what they mean.

past habits

Expression usedto denotes actions that often happened in the past, but no longer occur now. Usually the construction is translated as "before", "once".

I used to go for a walk every morning. unfortunately,Ihavenotimenow. - I used to go for a walk every morning. Unfortunately, I don't have time for that right now.

He used to be a shop assistant. Nowisamillionaire. - Once he was a salesman, and now he is a millionaire.

In this case, we are only talking about past habits, so the verb cannot be used in the present tense. In other words, you can't say "use to". The rules of use require the verb to be put in the Past Simple. If you need to talk about the habits that exist at the moment, use the Present Simple.

I used to eat bananas for breakfast. - BeforeIateonbreakfastbananas.

Iusuallyeatbananasforbreakfast. I usually eat bananas for breakfast.

Please note: after the particle to is always infinitive. Other forms of the verb are not allowed here.

My sister used to be a naughty child. - Mysisterwasnaughtychild.

Let's continue with the rule. usedto used not only in affirmative sentences. We can safely construct a negative or interrogative sentence.

In the question, the first place is given did, followed by the subject and use to. The past tense is taken over by the auxiliary verb, so the initial form should be used useto.

Didsheusetowakeupearlywhenshewenttoschool? Did she have a habit of getting up early when she went to school?

Did they use to spend vacation together? - Beforetheycarried outtogethervacation?

In negative sentences, a particle is added to the auxiliary verb not, a useto also put in the initial form.

I didn't use to smoke when I was a schoolboy. - I AMnotsmoked, whenwentinschool.

Shedidn'ttusetoplaygolf. She hasn't played golf before.

Used to or would?

When it comes to past habits, sometimes another expression is used - would.

Kate would go to a swimming pool once a week. - BeforeKatewentinpoolonceinweek.

Remember the important rule: usedto can indicate both an action and a state.

Action: Myparentsdidn'ttusetogotoagym. - My parents never went to the gym before.

State: John didn'tusetoloveRockmusic. - Once upon a time, John did not like rock music.

Would indicates only a repeated action in the past. It is not used to describe a state.

My friend used to go shopping every weekend. Myfriendwouldgoshoppingeveryweekend. My friend used to go shopping every weekend.

But you can't say: John would love rock music. This proposal should use usedto.

Would can also describe actions that happened from time to time (often with an element of nostalgia). A good translation in this case is the word "used."

InmychildhoodIwouldgoforapicnicalmosteveryweekend. - As a child, I used to go to a picnic almost every weekend.

If you don't specify the regularity of the action, use usedto, not would.

Whenhewasachildheusedtowakeuplate. - He woke up late when he was a child (general, no regularity indicated).

Whenhewasachild,hewouldwakeuplateatweekends. - When he was a child, he woke up late on weekends (it is indicated how often the action was performed).

have a habit of doing something

Let's look at another rule. used to often confused with to be used to. However, they have completely different meanings. Expression tobeusedto means "to have the habit of doing something", and it can be replaced by a synonymous construction tobeaccustomedto. Previously, a person did not do this, but now his way of life has changed.

Heisusedtogettingupat 9am. - He used to get up at 9 am (he didn't do that before).

Since we are talking about a habit that a person has at the moment, the verb tobe logical to put in the present tense. For past habits, use the expression we already know usedto/didn"t use to. Compare:

My brother didn't use to eat healthy food. - Mybrotherbeforenotateusefulfood.

Now he is used to eating healthy food. - Nowis heused toeatusefulfood.

Don't forget to put a particle to- there is no expression useddoing. The rule also requires the use of the gerund, not the infinitive.

Jesse is used to making his bed in the morning. - Jessieused tocoverbedonin the morning.

I am used to go to school on my foot. - I AMused towalkinschoolon foot.

get used to something

Phrase togetusedto very close in value to the previous design. But there is a certain shade of meaning - “to get used to”, “to master”, “to adapt”. In this case, the synonymic construction would be tobecomeaccustomedto.

It is difficult to get used to a new climate. - TOnewclimatehardadapt.

Here we are talking about a habit that is just beginning to form.

He is getting used to doing the laundry twice a week. - Heaccustomsmyselfwashclothestwicebehindweek.

After the particle to you should also put a gerund.

TheyaregettingusedtospeakingChinese. They are getting used to speaking Chinese.

What grammatical tense should be used getusedto? The rule allows you to use any tense that makes sense.

Ittookhersometimetogetusedtonewtraditions. - It took some time before she got used to the new traditions.

In a few weeks you will get used to the local cuisine. - Acrosscoupleweeksyouget used totolocalkitchen.

Exercises

We have discussed in detail the use usedto/beusedto/getusedto. The rule separates these constructions in meaning and grammatically. Practice using them in practice. Insert the appropriate words into the text. Be sure to select the correct time.

1. Jane -- smoke a lot. Then she quit it. Jen used to smoke a lot. But then she quit smoking.
2. I see you -_ new rules. Keep it up! I see you are getting used to the new rules. Keep it up!
3. How long did it take him to _ living in the suburbs? How long did it take him to get used to life in the suburbs?
4. You_be very hardworking. You have become a lazybones! - You were so hardworking. You have become lazy!
5. We _ ​​speaking two languages. We are used to speaking two languages.
6. He _ coming in time. He taught himself to be on time.
7. I _ drinking tea. Coffee is bad for my health. - I've got into the habit of drinking tea. Coffee is bad for me.
8. Why don't you _ putting fewer spices in your food. I can't eat it! - Why don't you train yourself to put less spices in your food! I can't eat it!
9. I _ sweeping the floor every day. - I used to sweep the floor every day.
10. I_his pronunciation. Does anyone understand what he says? - I can't get used to his pronunciation. Does anyone even understand what he's saying?
11. Monika _ be a doctor, but she has already retired. Monika used to be a doctor. But she is already retired.
12. We _ ​​be friends. Then something went wrong. - We were friends. But then something went wrong.