Used to, Be used to, or Get used to? Easy Differentiation with Exercises
Have you ever been confused between these three sentences?
- I used to play football.
- I'm used to playing football.
- I'm getting used to playing football.
All three structures contain the phrase used to, but their meanings are completely different.
This is one of the grammar points that confuses English learners the most. The article below will help you differentiate used to, be used to, and get used to in just a few minutes.
What is "Used to"?
Used to + base verb is used to talk about a habit or a state that existed in the past but no longer exists now.
Structure
Subject + used to + Verb
Examples
- I used to play basketball every weekend.
- She used to live in London.
- My father used to smoke.
→ Currently, these things are no longer true.
What is "Be used to"?
Don't let the word used mislead you.
Be used to is not related to the past.
It means to be accustomed to something.
Structure
Subject + be + used to + Noun / V-ing
Examples:
- I'm used to cold weather.
- She's used to working late.
- We're used to speaking English every day.
The important thing to remember is that "be used to" is always followed by a noun or V-ing, not a base verb.
What is "Get used to"?
Get used to means to gradually become accustomed to something.
If be used to means "already accustomed", then get used to means "in the process of becoming accustomed".
Structure
Subject + get + used to + Noun / V-ing
Examples:
- I'm getting used to my new job.
- It took me months to get used to driving on the left.
- You'll soon get used to waking up early.
Comparing Used to, Be used to, and Get used to
| Structure | Meaning | Followed by |
|---|---|---|
| used to + V | Used to do something but no longer does | Base verb |
| be used to + N/V-ing | Accustomed to | Noun or V-ing |
| get used to + N/V-ing | Gradually becoming accustomed to | Noun or V-ing |
Examples:
- I used to drink coffee every day. (Not anymore.)
- I'm used to drinking coffee. (I'm accustomed to it.)
- I'm getting used to drinking black coffee. (I'm gradually becoming accustomed.)
Super Quick Way to Remember
Look at the verb before "used".
No "be" verb
→ used to + V
Example:
- I used to swim.
With "be"
→ be used to + V-ing/N
Example:
- I'm used to swimming.
With "get"
→ get used to + V-ing/N
Example:
- I'm getting used to swimming.
If you see be or get, you are almost certainly going to use V-ing, not a base verb.
Memory Tip
You just need to remember three keywords:
- Used to = formerly / once did
- Be used to = accustomed to
- Get used to = gradually accustoming
This is a memory technique widely used by many teachers because it's concise and easy to apply during exercises.
How to Quickly Differentiate the Three Structures?
- used to → once did.
- be used to → accustomed to.
- get used to → gradually accustoming.
Just look at the verb before (be, get, or nothing), and you'll immediately know whether to use V or V-ing.
Conclusion
The three structures used to, be used to, and get used to look similar but carry completely different meanings.
Remember:
- Used to + V → formerly.
- Be used to + V-ing/N → accustomed to.
- Get used to + V-ing/N → gradually accustoming.
Want to remember these structures long-term instead of just memorizing? Practice with Dictation on Parroto. By listening, writing, and encountering these structures in real-life contexts, you will remember them naturally and avoid confusion in communication and exams.
