be used to vs. used to

Now back in 2010 I wrote a blog post about the meaning and the way to use the expression used to. Today I will be looking at the difference between be+used to and used to.

BE + USED TO

This is what we say when people have adjusted to a change in their lives.

It was tough when I started my new job at first but I am used to it now.

Are you used to living in Japan yet?

In many cases, be will be replaced with get:

Oh you think it's noisy here? You'll get used to it.
(You will adapt to it.)

I couldn't get used to the smell of stinky tofu when I was in Taiwan.(I couldn't adjust and accept the smell)

USED TO + verb

This simply means that before X was true and now it isn't

I used to play tennis. (now I don't)

She used to work at Panasonic. (now she doesn't)

My company used to make a pomegranate jam. (now it doesn't - it was discontinued)

Be very careful not to mix these two up!

Any questions?

Phil

I used to like...

Hey everyone, in the last lesson I mentioned that a has-been is someone who used to be famous or successful. So today, I decided to talk abit about used to.

Ok, so used to means that BEFORE you did or were something in a regular way but that NOW you DON'T. Also we pronounce it use-to, the d is silent.

I used to like G.I. Joe (but now I don't).

I used to play tennis (but I don't anymore).

I used to like her (but now I don't).

So when we use the expression used to we are stressing that we NO LONGER do that or feel that way. It has CHANGED.

If you used to like something alot but now just think it's ok you shouldn't use used to. Just say:

I liked G.I. Joe when I was a kid(and maybe I still like them).

I liked her last year (but now maybe my feelings aren't so strong).

I played tennis in high school (but now I don't play so often).

When you are using the simple past we usually include WHEN we did it. With used to, you don't have to say when--the important thing is now you don't.

Hmm, I think that's it for today. I hope you guys had a nice weekend,

Phil