ENGLISH GRAMMAR
To be - To get used to:
be or become accustomed to something
(examples with the verb 'drive')
The structure be or get used to (followed by a
noun or a verb ending in -ing) means to be or become accustomed to, or
familiar with, something that will eventually seem normal or usual.
We can use this structure in all tenses, present, past and future.
Below you will find an explanation and examples of use.
We can use this structure in all tenses, present, past and future.
Below you will find an explanation and examples of use.
| AFFIRMATIVE | NEGATIVE | INTERROGATIVE |
| I am (I'm) used to driving | I am (I'm) not used to driving | Am I used to driving? |
| You are (you're) used to driving | You are (you're) not used to driving | Are you used to driving? |
| He/she is (he's/she's) used to driving | He/she is (he's/she's) not used to driving | Is he/she used to driving? |
| We are (we're) used to driving | We are (we're) not used to driving | Are we used to driving? |
| You are (you're) used to driving | You are (you're) not used to driving | Are you used to driving? |
| They are (they're) used to driving | They are (they're) not used to driving | Are they used to driving? |
- To be used to something
means to be accustomed to it,
to do something so regularly that it is now
familiar, or you have learned to accept it.
- To get used to something
means to become accustomed to it, to do something new until it becomes familiar
and eventually seems normal and no longer strange.
- Be or get 'used to' is followed either by a
noun or by a verb ending in -ing.
- Noun
- Tom is used to noise.
- Julie is used to hard work.
- The population is used to cold weather.
- They are not used to spicy food.
- Verb
- Tom is used to living in a noisy street.
- Julie is used to working hard.
- He is not used to speaking in public.
- They are not used to eating spicy food.
- Noun
- 'Used to' is used with be and
get in all tenses : past, present, future and conditional.
- Now that I live in France, I am used to driving on the right.
- When you move to the city, you will get used to noise.
- Before I lived in Italy, I wasn't used to eating pasta. I got used to it.
- I wasn't used to the weather. It took me some time to get used to it.
MORE EXAMPLES OF USE:
- I don't mind crowds. I'm used to living in a big city.
- Stella feels a bit lost. She isn't used to her new office yet.
- Paul is used to giving presentations. It's part of his job.
- Teachers are used to children. | They are used to teaching children.
- Visitors to Britain are not used to driving on the left.
- Laura was cold. She was used to a warmer climate.
- Our grandparents were not used to mobile phones.
- Students get used to being independent.
- They have to get used to looking after themselves.
- It takes time to get used to a new country.
- During the Covid epidemic, people got used to shopping online.
- When my car broke down, I had to get used to taking the bus.
- Pedro has got used to speaking English.
- Eventually you'll get used to the smell of paint.
- Alex will get used to the weather in time.
- His parents wondered if he would get used to living abroad.
NB : Do not confuse with the structure 'used to' + infinitive (example: I used to smoke).

