Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 61 · B1

be/get used to ... (I'm used to ...)

I'm used to something means it is no longer new or strange to me; get used to is the process of it becoming so. Used to here is followed by a noun or -ing, never the infinitive, and is not the same as I used to do.

Start the lesson

14Steps · about 24 minutes

In this lesson

Not used to it, getting used to it, used to itA2 screens of questions
be used to, get used to + something or doing somethingB2 screens of questions
to here is a prepositionC1 screen of questions
I am used to doing and I used to doD1 screen of questions
Put it together+2 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 4

Not used to it, getting used to it, used to it

Marta is from Poland but lives in Rotherham. When she first arrived, being called love by bus drivers was a problem for her.

She wasn't used to it. She wasn't used to being called love by strangers.

After a while it stopped being strange. She got used to it.

Now she does not notice. She is used to it. She has started calling the bus drivers love back.

  • She wasn't used to being called love by strangers.
  • She got used to it.
  • She's used to it now.

Point A · Exercise 61.2 · part 1 of 2

Read about Shona and Pete. Complete the sentences with used to.

  1. Example

    Shona is a care worker. A year ago she started doing nights. At first it was hard.

    Shona wasn't used to working nights.

    AnswerShona wasn't used to working nights.

  2. It was a few weeks before she felt at home.

    It was a few weeks before she could it.

  3. Now, after a year, it's normal for her.

    She nights.

  4. Pete has to drive ninety minutes to work every morning. Years ago, when he started, it was hard and he hated it.

    When Pete started this job, he driving ninety minutes to work every morning.

  5. After a while it got easier.

    After a while he it.

Point A · Exercise 61.2 · part 2 of 2

Read about Shona and Pete. Complete the sentences with used to.

  1. Now it's no problem at all.

    He ninety minutes every morning.

Point B of 4

be used to, get used to + something or doing something

I'm used to something means it is not new or strange for me. The pattern is be or get used to + something, or + doing something.

  • Owen has lived alone for years, so it isn't strange for him. He's used to living alone.
  • My new glasses felt strange for a week because I wasn't used to them.
  • Our flat is above a bakery. No doubt we'll get used to the 4 a.m. ovens eventually, but for now it's a trial.
  • Gail's new job starts at six. She's struggling because she isn't used to starting so early.
  • Becky's husband is often away on the rigs. She doesn't mind. She's used to him being away.

Point B · Exercise 61.1

Complete the sentences with used to and a suitable verb.

  1. Example

    I don't mind travelling alone. I'm used to having my own company.

    AnswerI don't mind travelling alone. I'm used to having my own company.

  2. I feel terrible. I was up until four. I'm not used to so late.

  3. I start a new job tomorrow. I'll have to get used to with new people.

  4. My legs are aching. I need a rest. I'm not used to up so many hills.

  5. I like this side of town. I've been here years, so I'm used to here.

Point B · Exercise 61.4

Read each situation and complete the sentence with get or got used to.

  1. Example

    Some friends have just moved next to a railway line. Trains pass all night. They'll have to get used to the trains.

    AnswerThey'll have to get used to the trains.

  2. The class got a new teacher, very different from the last one, but it wasn't a problem. They soon .

  3. Pat swapped a farmhouse in the countryside for a flat in the city. It was a big change. She had to in a city.

  4. Ines has lived in Britain for twelve years. She disliked the weather when she came, and she still dislikes it. She can't .

  5. Lee went part-time to look after his kids, and his income halved. He had to .

Point C of 4

to here is a preposition

We say be/get used to doing, never I'm used to do. In I'm used to ..., to is a preposition (see Unit 60), so it takes a noun, a pronoun or -ing.

Compare to + infinitive: We don't want to live here.

  • Marta is used to being called love. (not is used to be called)
  • I'm used to living on my own. (not I'm used to live)
  • We're not used to the noise.
  • We're not used to living here. (not live here)
  • We don't want to live here.

Point C · Exercise 61.3

What would you say? Use I'm (not) used to ... .

  1. Example

    You live alone and have always lived alone. You don't mind.

    A: Do you ever get lonely?

    No, I'm used to living alone.

    AnswerNo, I'm used to living alone.

  2. You sleep on a futon on the floor. You've always done it and it's fine.

    A: Wouldn't you rather sleep in a proper bed?

  3. Your job means long hours, and always has. It doesn't bother you.

    A: You work very long hours, don't you?

  4. You've just moved from a village to a big city. It's very busy and you dislike the crowds.

    A: How are you finding it here?

Point D of 4

I am used to doing and I used to do

I am used to (doing) something = it is normal and familiar for me.

I used to do something = it was a regular habit in the past, but not any more. It only refers to the past (Unit 18).

  • I'm used to the weather here. I've lived in Manchester for twenty years.
  • I used to drive to work, but these days I cycle.
  • We used to live in the middle of nowhere, but now we live near the town centre.

Point D · Extra practice

Put in used to or am/is/are used to.

  1. I drive to work, but now I cycle.

  2. I've lived in Manchester for years, so I the rain.

  3. We have a dog, but he died last year.

Put it together · Exercise 61.5 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with one word each time.

  1. Example

    Marta had to get used to being called love by strangers.

    AnswerMarta had to get used to being called love by strangers.

  2. Kieran used to a lot of fizzy drinks. Now he sticks to water.

  3. I feel sick after that buffet. I'm not used to so much rich food.

  4. Camping with six people in one tent? No thanks. I'm used to plenty of space.

  5. I used to a van, but I sold it in the spring.

Put it together · Exercise 61.5 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with one word each time.

  1. When we were kids, we used to swimming every Saturday.

  2. There used to a cinema on this street, but it was turned into flats.

  3. I'm the manager here. I'm not used to told what to do.

Lesson 61 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: Verb + preposition + -ing (succeed in -ing / insist on -ing etc.)Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. Not used to it, getting used to it, used to it–Not checkedB. be used to, get used to + something or doing something–Not checkedC. to here is a preposition–Not checkedD. I am used to doing and I used to do–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked