"Used to" and "be used to + V-ing", Used to be used to + V-ing

Used to, be used to + V-ing

Used to, be used to + V-ing

“Used to” and “be used to + V-ing” are commonly used expressions in English that refer to past habits, past states, or familiarity with certain actions or situations. These expressions are essential for clear communication and help convey specific meanings accurately. Mastering their correct usage is also crucial for success in exams like the TOEFL, where understanding the subtle differences between these structures can be tested.

1- Used to:

  • “Used to” is used to talk about actions or states that happened regularly in the past but no longer occur. It indicates a past habit or condition that is no longer true.
  • This structure is followed by the base form of the verb (infinitive without “to”).
  • For example: “I used to live in Paris when I was younger,” meaning that I lived in Paris in the past but I no longer do.

2- Be used to + V-ing:

  • “Be used to + V-ing” expresses familiarity or habituation with a specific action or situation. It describes something that feels normal or customary because of repeated experience.
  • This structure is followed by the gerund form of the verb (the “-ing” form).
  • For example: “She is used to working long hours” means that working long hours is something she has become familiar with over time.

3- Forming negative and interrogative sentences:

  • To create negative sentences with “used to” or “be used to + V-ing,” simply add “not” after “used to” or “be used to.”
  • For example: “He didn’t use to eat spicy food” or “I am not used to speaking in public.”
  • For interrogative sentences, invert the subject and “used to” or “be used to.”
  • For example: “Did you use to play the piano?” or “Is she used to driving in heavy traffic?”

4- Differentiating between “used to” and “be used to”:

  • “Used to” refers to actions or states that were true in the past but are no longer true.
  • “Be used to + V-ing” indicates that someone is familiar or comfortable with a certain action or situation, often through repeated exposure.
  • Example: “I used to ride a bike to work” (a past habit that no longer happens) vs. “I am used to riding a bike” (a familiar action that feels normal now).

5- Confusion with “be used to” and “get used to”:

  • “Be used to” describes an existing state of familiarity or comfort with a situation.
  • “Get used to” refers to the process of becoming familiar or comfortable with something over time.
  • For example: “She is used to the cold weather” (she is already accustomed to it) vs. “She is getting used to the cold weather” (she is in the process of becoming accustomed).

Understanding and using “used to” and “be used to + V-ing” correctly will help you express past habits, states, and familiarity with actions or situations clearly and accurately. In exams like TOEFL, these structures may appear in questions requiring you to choose the correct form or interpret the meaning in context.

Pay attention to the verb forms, negation, and word order when using these expressions. By practicing their usage regularly, you will be able to express past experiences and familiarity confidently in English, improving both your written and spoken communication.

Used to, be used to + V-ing

Exercise-1

Complete the sentences by putting the verb into the correct form: either the gerund (-ing) form or the infinitive (base form without “to”). This exercise tests your understanding of the difference between “used to” (for past habits or states) and “be used to + V-ing” (for familiarity with a situation or action).

Examples:

  • Jane had to get used to driving on the left. (drive) – She is becoming familiar with driving on the left.
  • Bill used to be very fit. Now he’s in terrible condition. (be) – He was fit in the past, but not anymore.

 

1. When I was a child, I used to __ swimming every day. (go)
Explanation: “Used to” expresses a past habit that no longer happens. So, “go” is the correct form.
2. It took me a long time to get used to __ glasses. (wear)
Explanation: “Get used to” indicates becoming familiar with something, so we use the gerund form “wearing.”
3. There used to __ a cinema on this corner but it was knocked down. (be)
Explanation: “Used to” describes a past state, so “be” is the correct form here.
4. I’m the boss. I’m not used to __ told what to do. (be)
Explanation: “Not used to” expresses unfamiliarity with being told what to do, so we use “being.”
5. You’ll have to get used to __ less if you want to lose weight. (eat)
Explanation: “Get used to” requires the gerund form of the verb, so the correct answer is “eating.”
6. I used to __ Ann but now she gets on my nerves. (like)
Explanation: “Used to” describes a past habit, so the base form “like” is correct.
7. Ron got tired very quickly. He wasn’t used to __ so fast. (run)
Explanation: “Wasn’t used to” indicates unfamiliarity with running fast, so the gerund form “running” is correct.
8. Tom used to __ a lot of coffee when he was a student. (drink)
Explanation: “Used to” refers to a past habit, so “drink” is the correct form here.

Answers:

1. go 2. wearing 3. be 4. being 5. eating 6. like 7. running 8. drink

Used to, be used to + V-ing

Exercise-2

Add an appropriate form of “be” if necessary. If no form of “be” is necessary, leave the space blank. This exercise tests your understanding of when “be” is required in combination with “used to” or “be used to.”

1. I have lived in Malaysia for a long time. I __ used to consistently warm weather.
Explanation: “I am used to” describes a state of familiarity, so “am” is needed.
2. I __ used to live in Finland, but now I live in France.
Explanation: No “be” is required here as “used to” refers to a past habit or state without the need for “be.”
3. I __ used to sitting at this desk. I sit here every day.
Explanation: “I am used to” expresses familiarity with a repeated action, so “am” is needed.
4. I __ used to sit in the back of the classroom, but now I prefer to sit in the front row.
Explanation: No “be” is required here as “used to” refers to a past habit.
5. When I was a child, I __ used to play games with my friends in a big field near my house after school every day.
Explanation: No “be” is needed here because “used to” is used to express a past habit.
6. It’s hard for my children to stay inside on a cold, rainy day. They __ used to playing outside in a big field near our house. They play there almost every day.
Explanation: “They are used to” expresses the children’s familiarity with playing outside, so “are” is needed.
7. A teacher __ used to answering questions. Students, especially good students, always have a lot of questions.
Explanation: “A teacher is used to” indicates a state of being familiar with answering questions, so “is” is needed.
8. People __ used to believe the world was flat.
Explanation: No “be” is required as “used to” refers to a past belief.
9. Mrs. Hansen __ used to do all of the laundry and cooking for her family. Now that the children are older, the whole family shares the chores.
Explanation: No “be” is needed because “used to” refers to a past habit.
10. Trains __ used to be the main means of cross-continental travel. Today, most people take airplanes for long-distance travel.
Explanation: No “be” is needed because “used to” describes a past state or fact.
11. Ms. Stanton’s job requires her to travel extensively throughout the world. She __ used to travelling by plane.
Explanation: “She is used to” expresses her familiarity with traveling, so “is” is needed.
12. You and I are from different cultures. You __ used to having fish for breakfast, I __ used to having cheese and bread for breakfast.
Explanation: “You are used to” and “I am used to” express different habits or cultural norms, so both “are” and “am” are required.

Answers:

1. am 2. – 3. am 4. – 5. – 6. are
7. is 8. – 9. – 10. – 11. is 12. are…am

Used to, be used to + V-ing

Exercise-3

Complete the sentences using “used to” or “get used to”.

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “used to” or “get used to” depending on the context. This exercise helps you practice understanding when someone is adjusting to something (get used to) or has already adjusted to something (used to).

1. Somebody from Britain is thinking of going to live in your country. Warn him/her! — You would have to __ .
Explanation: This sentence requires “get used to” because the person will need to adjust to new things like the weather, food, or culture.
2. Some friends of yours have just moved into an apartment on a busy street. It is very noisy. They’ll have to __ .
Explanation: “Get used to the noise” is correct here because they will need to adapt to the new, noisy environment.
3. Jack once went to the Middle East. It was very difficult for him at first because of the heat. He wasn’t __ .
Explanation: “Used to the heat” fits here because it indicates that Jack was not familiar with or accustomed to the high temperatures.
4. Sue moved from a big house to a smaller one. She found it strange at first. She had to __ in a much smaller house.
Explanation: “Get used to living” is needed because Sue is in the process of adapting to her new living situation.
5. The children at school had a new teacher. She was different from the teacher before her, but this wasn’t a problem for the children. The children soon __ .
Explanation: “Got used to her” is correct as it describes how the children adapted to the new teacher over time.

Answers:

1. get used to the weather, food, etc.
2. get used to the noise
3. used to the heat
4. get used to living
5. got used to her

Used to, be used to + V-ing

Exercise-4

Rewrite the sentences using “used to” where possible.

In this exercise, you need to rewrite the given sentences using “used to” wherever appropriate. This will help you practice converting past states or habits into the “used to” structure.

1. Every summer Eileen stayed with her grandparents while her parents were away on holiday.
Explanation: “Used to stay” is appropriate here because it describes a past habitual action.
2. Bruce drove a new lorry to Scotland, stopping one night in the north of England.
Explanation: “Used to” cannot be used here because it describes a specific event, not a habitual action.
3. My aunt had a dog which she had rescued from drowning when it was a puppy.
Explanation: “Used to have” is appropriate here because it refers to a past state that is no longer true.
4. As Mary was getting out of the boat at her foot slipped and she fell into the river.
Explanation: “Used to” cannot be applied here because this describes a specific past event.
5. Before the new shopping mall was built, there was a football pitch here for the local children.
Explanation: “There used to be” is correct here as it refers to a past state or situation that no longer exists.
6. Jasper grumbled that bread didn’t taste like cardboard until the supermarkets started making it.
Explanation: “Didn’t use to taste” fits here because it refers to how bread used to taste differently in the past.
7. During our voyage across the Atlantic I took several photos of the great seabirds which followed the ship, riding on currents in the air.
Explanation: “Which used to follow the ship” is appropriate as it describes a habitual action of the seabirds.
8. While I was waiting for the bus I noticed a group of tourists who were listening intently to a guide.
Explanation: “Used to” cannot be used here because it describes a specific event, not a habitual action.
9. The punishments at our school were very harsh before the new head teacher was appointed.
Explanation: “Used to be very harsh” works here as it describes a past state that has changed.
10. As children we spent a lot of time helping with the household chores, but we didn’t help in the garden.
Explanation: “Used to spend” is appropriate here because it describes a habitual action from the past.
11. The politicians made innumerable promises before the election, but kept none of them, as usual.
Explanation: “Used to” cannot be applied here as this describes a specific event.

Answers:

1. … Eileen used to stay …
2. (no change)
3. My aunt used to have ….
4. (no change)
5. … there used to be a football pitch ….
6. … bread didn’t use to taste like cardboard ….
7. … which used to follow the ship ….
8. (no change)
9. … used to be very harsh …
10. As children we used to spend …
11. (no change)

Used to, be used to + V-ing

Exercise-5

Correct the mistakes in the following sentences.

Identify and correct the errors related to the use of “used to” and “be used to” in the following sentences.

1. I used to was studying at the University of Southern California before I transferred here.
Explanation: “Used to” should be followed by the base form of the verb (“study”). Alternatively, “was used to studying” would work for habitual actions.
2. We use to go to the movies quite frequently.
Explanation: “Used to” is missing the “d,” as it refers to a past habit.
3. She was used to get up early.
Explanation: “Was used to” must be followed by a gerund, so “getting up” is correct.
4. He was used to drink too much.
Explanation: Like the previous sentence, “was used to” should be followed by a gerund, so “drinking” is the correct form.
5. She used to speaking in public.
Explanation: This sentence can be corrected in two ways: “She used to speak in public” (past habit) or “She is used to speaking in public” (current familiarity).
6. Janet is finally used to cook on an electric stove after having a gas one for so long.
Explanation: “Used to” should be followed by a gerund, so the correct form is “cooking.”
7. Mr. Peters is used to think of himself as the only president of the company.
Explanation: “Used to” should be followed by a gerund, so “thinking” is correct. Alternatively, “used to think” could express a past belief.
8. Mr. Anderson used to jogging in the morning during the winter months, but now he has stopped.
Explanation: “Used to” must be followed by the base form, so “jog” is correct. Alternatively, “was used to jogging” would describe a past habit.
9. Are you used to sleep late at weekends?
Explanation: “Used to” should be followed by a gerund, so “sleeping” is the correct form.
10. She used to dancing every night, but now she is taking English.
Explanation: “Used to” should be followed by the base form, so “dance” is the correct form. Alternatively, “is used to dancing” would describe familiarity.
11. There used to being a castle before the Romans came.
Explanation: “Used to” should be followed by the base form, so “be” is correct.
12. When I was younger I was used to swim long distances but now I’m out of practice.
Explanation: “Was used to” must be followed by a gerund, so “swimming” is the correct form.
13. As far as I know, you used to smoking a pipe, didn’t you?
Explanation: “Used to” should be followed by the base form, so “smoke” is correct.
14. People used to thinking that the earth was flat.
Explanation: “Used to” should be followed by the base form, so “think” is correct.
15. I’m not used to play tennis so long.
Explanation: “Used to” should be followed by a gerund, so “playing” is correct.
16. It’s difficult to understand Scottish people if you’re not use to their accent.
Explanation: “Used to” is missing the “d,” as it refers to familiarity.
17. They aren’t used to hard working.
Explanation: “Hard working” is not correct here; “hard work” is the proper noun form.
18. I’ve watched TV every night recently, I never used to doing it before.
Explanation: “Used to” should be followed by the base form, so “do” is correct.
19. We aren’t use to a cold weather.
Explanation: “Used to” is missing the “d” and “cold weather” should not have an article. The correct form is “used to cold weather.”
20. He always used to teasing his sister.
Explanation: “Used to” should be followed by the base form, so “tease” is correct.

Answers:

1. I used to study / was used to studying …
2. We used to go / were used to going …
3. She used to get up / was used to getting up …
4. He used to drink / was used to drinking …
5. She used to speak / was used to speaking …
6. Janet is finally used to cooking …
7. Mr. Peters used to think …
8. Mr. Anderson used to jog …
9. Are you used to sleeping …
10. She used to dance …
11. There used to be …
12. I was used to swimming …
13. You used to smoke …
14. People used to think …
15. I’m not used to playing …
16. … if you’re not used to …
17. They aren’t used to hard work.
18. I never used to do it …
19. We aren’t used to …
20. He always used to tease …

Used to, be used to + V-ing

Used to, be used to + V-ing

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