Used-to Structures

All right guys!

In class you learnt both the structures and uses of two different constructions: 'Used to' and 'Be/Get Used to'. Remember 'used to + infinitive' expresses past habits that are no longer true in the present. This idea is possible as well through 'usually + past simple' or the more literary one 'would always + infinitive' (typical in narratives). 'Would always' isn't employed with states.

Never forget that 'used to' is only possible in the past. In order to express this idea in the present, you need to use 'usually + present simple.' The negative for 'used to' is the expected form 'didn't use to', although some people also use 'never used to.'

However, 'be/get used to + verb-ing' expresses that you are in the habit of doing something and thus you're accustomed to doing so. This structure also admits a noun phrase instead of a verb. Remember it is possible in any tense, present, past, future.

Look at these examples:

(A) I used to play the bass as a child.

I usually played the bass as a child.

I would always play the bass as a child.

(B) I'm not used to driving on the left.

She didn't get used to American food.

You'll be used to working overnight.

All the sentences in (A) have the same meaning: "you played the bass when you were a child, but you don't any more." The third sentence here is more literary and it would be used in narrative contexts. The examples in (B) are a bit different in meaning with respect to the previous group. You see the verbs are in different tenses, and also they are followed either by a gerund ('driving', 'working') or by a noun phrase ('American food'). In all of them the sense is similar, to be or get accustomed to something or to doing something.

¿Todo bien, chicos?

En clase habéis aprendido tanto las estructuras como los usos de dos construcciones diferentes: "Used to" y "Be/Get used to". Recordad que "used to + infinitivo" expresa hábitos del pasado que ya no suceden en el presente. Esta idea también es posible a través de "usually + pasado simple 'o la más literaria" would always + infinitivo "(típico en las narraciones). 'Would always' no se emplea con estados.

Nunca olvidéis que "used to" sólo es posible en el pasado. Para expresar esta idea en el presente, es necesario utilizar "usually + presente simple". La negativa de "used to" es la forma esperada "didn't use to", aunque algunas personas también usan "never used to".

Sin embargo, "be/get used to" expresa que se está en el hábito de hacer algo y que se está acostumbrado a hacerlo. Esta estructura también admite un sintagma nominal en lugar de un verbo. Recordad que es posible en cualquier tiempo, sea presente, pasado o futuro.
Mira estos ejemplos:
(A) I used to play the bass as a child.
I usually played the bass as a child.
I would always play the bass as a child.
(B) I'm not used to driving on the left.
She didn't get used to American food.
You'll be used to working overnight.

Todas las oraciones del grupo (A) tienen el mismo significado: solías tocar el bajo cuando eras un niño, pero no ahora.  La tercera frase aquí es de un estilo más literario y sería utilizado en contextos narrativos. Los ejemplos de (B) son un poco diferentes en su significado con respecto al grupo anterior. Observad que los verbos están en diferentes tiempos, y también que son seguidos tanto de un gerundio ('driving', 'working') o de un sintagma nominal ('American food'). En todos ellos el sentido es similar, que estás acostumbrado a algo o a hacer algo, o que te acostumbras a ello.


For practice:
Exercise1, Exercise2, Exercise3, Exercise4.