1. USED TO + INFINITIVE

We use used to + verb to talk about a past habit, routine, or situation that is no longer true.

Structure:

used to + base verb

Examples

✅ I used to live in Madrid.
✅ I used to work for a large company.
✅ We used to have meetings every Friday.
✅ She used to speak English very little.

The important idea is that the situation was true in the past, but it has changed.

I used to work in an office.
→ I worked in an office in the past, but I don't anymore.

Negative and questions

I didn't use to work remotely.

Did you use to work here?

Notice that after did/didn't, we use use to, not used to.

2. BE USED TO + NOUN / -ING

Be used to means be accustomed to something.

It describes something that is already familiar or normal for you.

Structure:

be + used to + noun / verb-ing

Examples

✅ I'm used to working with international clients.
✅ She's used to speaking English in meetings.
✅ We're used to the new system now.
✅ He's used to working under pressure.

Compare:

I used to work from home.
→ I worked from home in the past, but I don't anymore.

I'm used to working from home.
→ Working from home is normal and familiar to me.

⚠️ Important: In be used to, to is a preposition, so it is followed by a noun or -ing form, not an infinitive.

❌ I'm used to work online.
✔ I'm used to working online.

3. GET USED TO + NOUN / -ING

Get used to means become accustomed to something.

It describes the process of adapting to something new or unfamiliar.

Structure:

get + used to + noun / verb-ing

Examples

✅ I'm getting used to working with the new software.
✅ She got used to speaking English at work.
✅ It took me a few weeks to get used to the new schedule.
✅ You'll soon get used to working with international teams.

Compare:

I'm used to working with international clients.
→ It is normal for me now.

I'm getting used to working with international clients.
→ I'm still adapting to it.

DON'T CONFUSE THEM!

Structure Meaning Example
used to + verb past habit/state I used to work here.
be used to + noun/-ing be accustomed to I'm used to working here.
get used to + noun/-ing become accustomed to I'm getting used to working here.

One situation — three meanings

I used to work in an office.
→ That was my situation in the past.

I'm used to working in an office.
→ Working in an office is familiar to me.

I'm getting used to working in an office.
→ I'm adapting to this situation now.

QUICK CHALLENGE

Complete the sentences with used to, be used to, or get used to.

1. I ________ work in sales, but now I teach English.

2. She's still ________ working with international clients.

3. We ________ having face-to-face meetings, so remote meetings were difficult at first.

4. Did you ________ live in another country?

5. It took him a few months to ________ speaking English every day.

Possible answers

→ 1. used to
→ 2. getting used to
→ 3. are used to
→ 4. use to
→ 5. get used to

WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

These structures are especially useful when talking about changes, routines, professional experience and adaptation.

For example:

I used to work for a local company, but now I work internationally.

I'm used to speaking English in meetings.

I'm getting used to working with clients from different cultures.

Learning to use these three structures naturally gives you much more precision when describing your experience and how things have changed.

Ready to take your English further?

Grammar is important — but knowing a structure is not the same as being able to use it naturally in conversation.

In my English classes, we work with grammar through real conversations, professional situations and practical communication.