Used to, get used to, be used to

Teacher: James, Why are you late again?

James: Sorry, I overslept. I am not used to waking up so early.

Teacher: Why don’t you use an alarm clock?

James: My mum used to wake me up, but since I’ve entered the university and moved to Glasgow she doesn’t.

Teacher: I hope you’ll get used to getting up early soon and won’t be late anymore.

You might everybody know the meaning of the verb TO USE - to do something with (an object, machine, person, method, etc.) in order to do a task, do an activity, etc – использовать, пользоваться.

Why don’t you use an alarm clock? – Почему ты не пользуешься будильником?

In this sentense the verb “to use” is used in its primary meaning.

But this verb has other meanings which are very popular and are often used in English.

In the lesson you’ll learn the following constructions with the verb to use: used to, be used to and get used to.

USED TO

USED TO is used to describe past habits and states that do not happen or exist anymore.

My mum used to wake me up, but since I’ve entered the university and moved to Glasgow she doesn’t.

Раньше меня будила мама, но когда я поступил в университет и переехал в Глазго она уже этого не делает.

Pay attention to the pronunciation of used to: ['ju:stə], while the past form used without to is pronounced as [ju:zd].

The construction used to always refers to the past. We do not use it in present or future tenses.

It doesn’t change its form in statements.

Here are some other examples:

She used to wear ugly clothes but now she’s very stylish.

She used to have short hair but now her hair is long.

She used to eat a lot of chocolate every day, but now she’s on a diet.

She used to wear trainers, but now she walks on high hills.

Formation

David used to drive to work.

The negations and questions are formed with the help of the auxiliary verb DID.

Remember, that we do not used –ed in interrogative and negative sentences.

David didn’t use__ to drive to work.

Did David use__ to drive to work?

Be careful! You can always change used to for the Past Simple tense.

He used to work for IBM.

He worked for IBM. (Past Simple)

But you cannot always use used to instead of Past Simple because used to refers to repeated actions in the past that do not happen anymore!

You can’t say: We used to go to Brazil last year.

You say: We went to Brazil last year. (Past Simple)

BE USED TO

Be used to means “be accustomed to” or “be familiar with” – привыкнуть.

Be used to shows that something is normal, not unusual for us.

Sorry, I overslept. I am not used to waking up so early. – Простите, я проспал.

Я не привык вставать рано.

Example: He is used to bad weather.

Be used to can refer to past and present.

The verb TO BE has three past forms- am, is, are and two past forms – was, were.

We form the negative sentences with the help of not.

He is not used to bad weather.

To ask a question we place to be before the subject.

Is he used to bad weather?

GET USED TO

We use to get used to to talk about the process of something becoming normal for us. The construction refers to present, past and future tenses.

I hope you’ll get used to getting up early soon and won’t be late anymore.

Надеюсь, что скоро ты привыкнешь вставать рано и больше не будешь опаздывать.

I'm gradually getting used to city life. (Present)

He didn’t like using the computer at first but he got used to it. (Past)

They will get used to each other. (Future)

Get used to / be used to are followed with:

·                   a noun phrase:

Tom is used to the noise.

Julie used to hard work.

I need to get used to my new car.

·                   a pronoun:

I didn't understand the accent when I first moved here but I quickly got used to it.

·                   the –ing-form of a verb.

Tom is used to living in a noisy street.

I am trying to get used to driving on the left.

Let’s sum up what meanings the constructions used to, be used to and get used to have.

Used to – repeated actions in the past that don't exist anymore!

Be used to – normal, not unusual actions.

Get used to – the process of becoming normal.

Now read the sentences and match the underlined forms with the meanings on the left.

She used to tell me stories when I was a child. (repeated actions in the past that don't exist anymore)

She is used to living in tropical climate. (normal, not unusual actions)

He doesn’t like that small town, but he’ll get used to it. (the process of becoming normal)

He used to have a beard, but now he hasn’t. (repeated actions in the past that don't exist anymore)

I’m used to living alone. (normal, not unusual actions)

She will soon get used to wearing contact lenses. (the process of becoming normal)

Read the situations and choose the proper construction.

1. “Sharon looks different now, doesn’t she?”

“Yes. She ________ have long dark hair, didn’t she?”

2. “I have never driven an automatic car before.”

 “You’ll soon _____________ it.”

3. “Aren’t you tired?”

“No. I _____________ walking long distances.”

4. “You got a five for your Grammar test.”

“Thanks. I _________ practise a lot before the test.”

Practice your grammar skills because practice makes perfect!