Choose the correct variant. A common mistake both for learners of English as well as native speakers is the difference between “Used to” and “Be used to”.

USED TO vs BE USED TO

A common mistake both for learners of English as well as native speakers is the difference between “Used to” and “Be used to”.

First let’s look at the meaning of both:

Used to + V₁ = an action or habit that was common in the PAST but not anymore.

This should not be confused with

To be used to + V_ing = accustomed to something (normally out of habit or experience)

Notice how Used to ends in –ed which normally means the verb is in the past tense.

· I used to drink coffee every morning but now I drink tea.

· She used to live in London but now she lives in New York.

· He used to play football professionally but he had to quit because of an injury.

These sentences refer to a past habit or a continuous action in the past and they are affirmative.

Used to in Negative

If we want to make a negative sentence, the didn’t part shows that we are talking about the past tense.
It is NOT common to use Used to in negative form though we will show you how to do it anyway.

Compare the normal past tense:

· I played rugby on Saturday.

· I didn’t play rugby on Saturday.

And now let’s see a sentence with Used to:

· I used to like her, but now I hate her.

· I didn’t useto like her but now I think she is great.

Be used to in Negative

In this pattern BE is negated:

· He is used to walking long distances.

· He isn’t used to walking long distances.

Used to in Questions

· + I used to ride a bike to school every day.

· - I didn’t use to ride a bike to school. I would normally go by bus.

·? Did you use to ride a bike to school when you were a child?

Be used to in Questions

· + She was used to drinking coffee in the morning.

· - She wasn’t used to drinking coffee in the morning.

·? Was she used to drinking coffee in the morning?

Exercise 1

Put “B” against the sentences that describe people’s childhood beliefs that seem funny today

And “H” against the ones that describe people’s strange habits.

	1. I used to believe that butterflies could eat your nose.
	2. I used to think that the orange and green tic-tacs gave you special powers. The orange ones would make you stronger and the green ones would make you faster.
	3. I am used to using leeches to suck my blood as a way of detoxifying.
	4. I used to believe that if I dug a hole big enough in beach sand, I would reach China and meet a China boy.
	5. I am used to climbing a tree daily in order to connect with my childhood.
	6. I used to believe that my toys would get lonely and sad when I was gone. I had to leave them at least in pairs so they had a friend to talk to.
	7. I am used to saying “White Rabbit” to the first person I see on the first of every month. They say, it’s good luck!
	8. I used to smoke a lot, but I have given it up. Strangely enough, now I am used to chewing Nicotine gum.

Exercise 2

Write 5 sentences about your childhood beliefs and 5 more about strange habits that you now possess.

Exercise 3

Choose the correct variant.

1. When I worked as a sales manager, I used to write / was usedto writing business letters. I miss it now.

2. Michael was a self-starter. He used to work / was used to working without any assistance.

3. In the past our company didn’t use to advertise / wasn’t used to advertising its produce via specialized magazines. Luckily, our attitudes have changed.

4. Our R&D team didn’t use to develop / isn’t used to developing innovative equipment within certain time limits. So, they won’t accept your project.

5. Did the previous merchandiser use to put / Is the previous merchandiser used to putting beverages at the entrance?

6. Did your employees use to wear / Are your employeesused to wearing uniform during the working hours? How do they feel about it?

Exercise 4

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