Used to

We use the phrase used to in three different ways and they all mean different things: used to, be used to, and get used to. 

1

On its own, used to is for talking about past habits.

When I was 12, I used to play football every afternoon.

Used to can be swapped out with would and it will mean the exact same thing.

When I was 12, I would play football every afternoon.

This means that used to is a modal verb. Like other modal verbs, it is followed by the bare infinitive form of the verb. Some more examples:

My mom used to be a smoker.

You used to come to class late, now you don’t!

I would cycle to school when I was in college.

However, would can’t be used for non-action verbs (to be, to have, to know, etc.). We only use used to for these. For example:

My mom would be a smoker.

When I was 13, I would know the capital of every country on Earth.

When I was 13, I used to know the capital of every country on Earth.

Back in college, I would have a pencil with me at all times.

Back in college, I used to have a pencil with me at all times.

2

We use to be + used to for speaking about things that are familiar – in other words things that are well known, things that are often seen or heard. For example:

I drive in Phnom Penh every day, so I am used to the traffic.

I am used to waking up early. I get up at 5am every day.

Reaksa is used to cooking lunch. She never eats lunch at a restaurant.

You are used to Phnom Penh weather, aren’t you? You’re Cambodian, after all.

3

Finally, we use get + used to for speaking about things that are becoming familiar but are not familiar yet. In other words, for things that are on their way to being normal but aren’t yet to the subject. For example:

I just moved to Phnom Penh, so I am getting used to the traffic.

I just started waking up at 5am. I am still getting used to waking up early.

Reaksa is getting used to cooking lunch. She is trying to stop eating out.

You are still getting used to Cambodia’s weather, aren’t you? It’s much hotter than the UK’s.