grammar · neutral

used to + base verb / be used to + V-ing

Band 4-5speakingtask2

'Used to + V' describes past habits no longer true. 'Be used to + V-ing' means to be accustomed to something (familiarity).

Examples

“I used to play football when I was a child.”

“I am used to getting up early.”

“She used to live in the countryside, but now she lives in the city.”

Band 8 sentence

“I used to travel a lot before my children were born, but now I'm used to staying at home more.”

Collocations

  • used to + V (past habit)
  • be used to + V-ing / N (be accustomed to)

Common mistakes

I used to be tired of waking up early.→I used to get tired of waking up early. / I was used to waking up early.

I am used to eat breakfast early.→I am used to eating breakfast early.

Say it for a higher band

5I used to + V (confused with be used to)→6would + V (for past repeated actions)→7+used to + base verb / be used to + V-ing

Synonyms

would + V (for past habits)

Easily confused

would + V (for past repeated actions)

“When we were kids, we would play outside until dark.”

be used to + V-ing

“He is used to working late.”

Related words

have / has + past participlesubject + V(s) (simple present)be about to + base verbbe + V-ingso + adjective/adverb + that + clauseIf + present perfect, will + base verbNot only + clause, but also + clausewill have been + V-ing

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In Tenses

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