subject + be + used to + noun / verb-ingUse this when the situation already feels familiar. Be changes with the subject and time.
Be Used To / Get Used To
B1Be used to = something feels normal. Get used to = the change from new or difficult to normal. After to, use a noun or an -ing form.
What you'll learn
- Say that something feels normal now with be used to.
- Show the process of adaptation with get used to.
- Use a noun or an -ing form after to.
- Choose am, is, are, was, or were correctly with used to.
- Change get to match the time: get, got, getting, will get.
Structure
subject + get + used to + noun / verb-ingUse this when someone is adapting. Change get to match the time and form.
Build a sentence
Subject
After to
Sheisused toworking late
She is used to working late.
This means working late feels normal for her now.
When to use
Normal now
Use be used to when the person already feels comfortable with the situation. Anna is used to the cold office.
Changing over time
Use get used to when comfort develops step by step. Tom got used to driving on busy streets after a month.
Noun or activity
The thing after to can be a noun or an activity: used to city noise, used to working late.
Markers
at firstslowlyafter a few weekssooneventuallylittle by little
In contrast
vs used-to
Used to talks about a past habit or past state that is no longer true. Be used to and get used to talk about familiarity and adaptation.
Common mistakes
Wrong
Lisa is used to work late.
Correct
Lisa is used to working late.
Here to belongs to the fixed phrase used to. After it, use a noun or verb + -ing, not the base verb.
Wrong
Tom was used to waking up early after his first week at the bakery.
Correct
Tom was getting used to waking up early after his first week at the bakery.
After his first week shows an adaptation period, not a finished comfortable state.
Wrong
Maria gets used to working at night now.
Correct
Maria is used to working at night now.
Now shows the finished state: it already feels normal. Use be used to, not get used to.
Wrong
They is used to the noise.
Correct
They are used to the noise.
With they, use are in the present.
Wrong
Anna get used to the new software last month.
Correct
Anna got used to the new software last month.
Last month needs the past form got.
Common misconceptions
❝ Because there is to, the next verb must be in the base form. ❞
Not here. In be used to and get used to, to is followed by a noun or an -ing form: used to the weather, used to waking up early.
❝ Be used to and get used to mean the same thing. ❞
Be used to describes the state of being comfortable. Get used to describes the change that leads to that state.
Skills in this rule (6)
BE_USED_TO_FOR_STATEw5Use be used to for something that feels normal now
Use be used to + noun or -ing when a situation is familiar and not difficult anymore. The focus is the current state, not the change.
GET_USED_TO_FOR_CHANGEw5Use get used to for the process of becoming comfortable with something
Use get used to + noun or -ing when the situation is new and the person is adapting. The focus is the change over time.
USE_NOUN_OR_ING_AFTER_TOw5Use a noun or an -ing form after to
After be used to and get used to, use a noun phrase or verb + -ing. Do not use the base verb after to here.
CHOOSE_BE_FORMw4Choose the right form of be with used to
Match be to the subject and time: am/is/are in the present, was/were in the past. The phrase stays used to after be.
BUILD_GET_USED_TO_IN_TIMEw4Build get used to in the right time form
Change get to show time and progress: get, got, getting, will get. Keep used to after it.
PICK_CHANGE_MARKERSw3Recognize markers that show adaptation over time
Words like at first, slowly, soon, after a few weeks, and eventually often point to get used to because they show change and adjustment.