Used to / be used to / get used to

• Three different structures
• Used to + infinitive (review)
• Be used to + noun / gerund
• Get used to + noun / gerund
• Comparison

Three different structures

These three expressions look similar but have completely different meanings. This is one of the most confusing topics for English learners.

Used to + infinitive (review)

Used to describes past habits:

I used to live in Madrid. => I don't live there anymore.

She used to smoke. => She doesn't smoke anymore.

Be used to + noun / gerund

Be used to means to be accustomed to something. It describes something that feels normal to you because you have been doing it for a while:

I am used to waking up early.

She is used to the cold weather.

They are used to working long hours.

After be used to, we use a noun or a gerund (verb + -ing), never an infinitive. I am used to waking up early. Not: I am used to wake up early.

Get used to + noun / gerund

Get used to means to become accustomed to something. It describes the process of adapting to something new:

I'm getting used to my new job.

She can't get used to the traffic.

He got used to living alone after a few months.

Comparison

I used to drive to work. => past habit

I am used to driving to work. => it feels normal now

I'm getting used to driving to work. => still adapting