Be Used To vs Used To

Used to + bare infinitive describes a repeated action or state that existed in the past but no longer happens, while be used to / get used to + -ing (or a noun) describes being familiar or comfortable with something, whether that something is past, present, or future. The words look alike, but used to is a past-tense structure and be used to is built around the verb be, so it can appear in any tense.

• I used to hate vegetables when I was a child. (a past habit that has now changed)
• She used to live in Madrid before she moved to Lisbon. (a past state, now different)
• I'm used to getting up early because I've done it for years. (present familiarity)
• He got used to the noise of the city after a few months. (the process of becoming familiar)
• They weren't used to the cold winters at first. (lack of familiarity)
• You'll get used to driving on the left eventually. (future adaptation)

Formation

Used to only exists in the past and is followed by the bare infinitive (verb without "to" removed — actually with "to", but no auxiliary changes). Be/get used to uses the verb be or get in whatever tense is needed, followed by a gerund (-ing) or a noun, never a bare infinitive.

• Used to + infinitive: We used to play football every weekend.
• Negative: I didn't use to like coffee. (note: no "d" on "use" in the negative)
• Question: Did you use to live near here?
• Be used to + -ing/noun: She is used to working long hours.
• Get used to + -ing/noun: I'm getting used to the new schedule.

Used To vs Be Used To: The Key Contrast

The clearest way to tell them apart is to ask what each sentence is really saying. Used to talks about what regularly happened in the past: I used to smoke, but I quit five years ago. Be used to talks about how comfortable or familiar someone is with a situation, and this feeling can exist in the past, present, or future: I wasn't used to the heat when I first moved to Spain, but now I'm completely used to it. Notice that be used to can happily describe a present state, something used to can never do.

Another useful test is the word that follows. After used to, only the bare infinitive is possible: used to work, not used to working. After be/get used to, only a gerund or noun is possible: used to working, not used to work.

Summary Table

Structure	Meaning	Example
used to + infinitive	past habit, now finished	I used to play tennis.
be used to + -ing/noun	familiarity, any tense	I'm used to playing tennis in the rain.
get used to + -ing/noun	the process of becoming familiar	I got used to the rain quickly.
didn't use to	negative past habit	I didn't use to like tennis.

Common Mistakes

• Following "used to" with a gerund instead of the infinitive:
  Incorrect: I used to living in Rome.
  Correct: I used to live in Rome.
• Following "be used to" with a bare infinitive instead of a gerund:
  Incorrect: She is used to work late.
  Correct: She is used to working late.
• Adding "d" to "use" in the negative or question form:
  Incorrect: I didn't used to like spicy food.
  Correct: I didn't use to like spicy food.

Practice Exercises

Explore related grammar topics:

All Grammar Topics Used To / Would Present Simple Stative Verbs Would Rather

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between "used to" and "be used to"?

Used to + infinitive describes a past habit that no longer happens, as in "I used to smoke." Be used to + -ing describes being familiar or comfortable with something, and can be used in any tense, as in "I'm used to getting up early."

What form of the verb follows "used to"?

"Used to" is followed by the bare infinitive of the main verb, for example "I used to play the piano," never a gerund such as "playing."

What form of the verb follows "be used to"?

"Be used to" is followed by a gerund (-ing form) or a noun, for example "I'm used to working nights" or "I'm used to the noise," never a bare infinitive.

Can "be used to" be used in the present tense?

Yes. Unlike "used to," which is always past, "be used to" can be used in any tense, including the present ("I am used to it"), past ("I was used to it"), and future ("I will be used to it").

What does "get used to" mean?

"Get used to" describes the process of becoming familiar with something over time, as in "He got used to the noise of the city after a few months," whereas "be used to" describes the resulting state of familiarity.

How do you make "used to" negative?

Use "didn't use to" (with no "d" on "use"), as in "I didn't use to like coffee," not "I didn't used to like coffee."

How do you ask a question with "used to"?

Use "did" plus the subject plus "use to" plus the bare infinitive, as in "Did you use to live near here?"

Is "used to" the same as the Past Simple?

Not quite. "Used to" specifically highlights that something was a repeated habit or ongoing state that is now over, while the Past Simple can describe a single completed action, so "I used to visit Paris often" implies repetition in a way that "I visited Paris" does not.

Why do learners confuse "used to" and "be used to"?

Because the two phrases contain the same words in the same order, learners often apply the grammar of one to the other, for example wrongly following "be used to" with a bare infinitive instead of a gerund.

Can "be used to" refer to a future situation?

Yes, with "will," as in "You'll get used to driving on the left eventually," which describes an adaptation that has not happened yet but is expected to occur.