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English grammar

Be Used To and Get Used To (+ -ing)

Updated 27 Oct 2026 5 min read LingoLadder Editorial Team
Cover: Be used to and get used to — I am used to driving on the left, I am getting used to the cold
Short answer

Be used to + noun or -ing means you are accustomed to something: I am used to driving on the left. Get used to means you are becoming accustomed: I am getting used to the cold. Neither is a past habit.

On this page11 sections · tap to jump
  1. 01The rule
  2. 02Forms
  3. 03How to say it
  4. 04Example sentences
  5. 05Common mistakes
  6. 06A short conversation
  7. 07Usage notes
  8. 08Compared with…
  9. 09Practice
  10. 10Quiz
  11. 11Recap cheat-sheet

Level: B1. Be used to and get used to are about being comfortable with something. They are not the same as used to + verb (a past habit). The key is what comes next: be/get used to takes a noun or the -ing form.

The rule

To be used to something means you are accustomed to it — it feels normal because you have done it or had it many times. It describes a state:

  • I am used to the noise. (the noise does not bother me)
  • She is used to working long hours. (long hours feel normal to her)

To get used to something means you are becoming accustomed to it — a change from strange to normal. It describes a process:

  • I am getting used to the cold weather. (it is becoming normal, little by little)
  • He got used to the new software after a week. (the change finished a week later)

The word after to is a noun (the noise, the weather, the city) or a verb in the -ing form (working, driving, getting up early). Here to is a preposition, not part of an infinitive, so a following verb must be -ing — never the base form.

Forms

Idea Pattern Example
State now am/is/are used to + noun/-ing I am used to the heat.
State in the past was/were used to + noun/-ing We were used to hard work.
Change now am/is/are getting used to She is getting used to it.
Change completed got / have got used to He got used to the city.
Change in the future will get used to You will get used to it.
Negative am not / didn’t get used to I am not used to the cold.
Question Are you used to…? / Did you get used to…? Are you used to driving here?

Note that be and get change for tense and subject, but used to stays the same, and the verb after it is always -ing.

How to say it

  • used to here is said the same as the past-habit used to: the d joins the t, so it sounds like “yoostoo”.
  • Stress the main verb or noun after it, not used to: I’m used to DRIVing here.
  • ’m used to, ’s used to (I’m used to, she’s used to) are normal contractions in speech.

Example sentences

  1. I am used to the noise now; I don't even hear it.
    A state: the noise feels normal (be used to + noun).
  2. She is used to working long hours.
    A state with the -ing form.
  3. We are used to the hot weather here.
    Be used to + noun — it feels normal.
  4. He isn't used to speaking English all day.
    Negative state: not yet comfortable.
  5. Are you used to driving on the left?
    Question about a current state.
  6. I am getting used to my new glasses.
    A change in progress: becoming normal.
  7. You will get used to the time difference in a few days.
    A future change.
  8. After a month, she got used to the cold mornings.
    A completed change in the past.
  9. It took me a while to get used to the keyboard.
    The process of becoming accustomed.
  10. They soon got used to living in a big city.
    Get used to + -ing, change completed.
  11. I was used to getting up early, so the job suited me.
    A past state (was used to).
  12. We weren't used to such spicy food at first.
    A negative past state.
  13. He has got used to the long commute.
    A change that is now complete (present perfect).
  14. Don't worry, you'll get used to it.
    Reassuring someone about a future change.
  15. I can't get used to this heat.
    The change is not happening — it stays strange.
  16. She is used to being the boss.
    A state with be + -ing after used to.
  17. Are you getting used to your new school?
    A question about a change in progress.
  18. Nurses get used to working night shifts.
    A general truth about becoming accustomed.
  19. I'm not used to all this attention.
    A negative state in the present.
  20. After living abroad, he was used to eating late.
    A past state built from experience.

Common mistakes

  • ❌ I am used to drive on the left. → ✅ I am used to driving on the left. After used to (preposition) use the -ing form, not the base verb.
  • ❌ I am used to the cold weather (meaning a past habit) → ✅ I used to live in a cold place. For a finished past habit use used to + base verb, with no be.
  • ❌ I am getting used to work here. → ✅ I am getting used to working here. Get used to also takes -ing (or a noun).
  • ❌ She is use to the noise. → ✅ She is used to the noise. It is used with a d, even after is/am/are.
  • ❌ I didn’t used to the climate. → ✅ I didn’t get used to the climate. Get used to needs a form of get (here didn’t get used to).
  • ❌ Do you used to spicy food? → ✅ Are you used to spicy food? Be used to questions use are/is/was, not do.

A short conversation

A: How is life in Singapore? Still too hot? B: Honestly, I am getting used to it. The first week was hard. A: You’ll be fine. After a month you won’t even notice. B: I hope so. I’m already used to taking the train everywhere — that part was easy.

Usage notes

  • Noun or -ing, never the base verb. Because to is a preposition here, a verb after it must be -ing: used to working, not used to work.
  • Be = state, get = change. Be used to says you are already comfortable; get used to says you are moving from strange to normal. Become used to is a slightly more formal version of get used to.
  • All tenses work. Change be or get, not used to: was used to, will get used to, has got used to, am getting used to.
  • Got used to vs have got used to. Both are common; have got used to stresses the result now (I have got used to it = I am fine with it now), got used to just reports the past change.
  • Contractions. I’m used to, she’s used to, you’ll get used to are all normal in speech.

Compared with…

  • Used to + base verb is a completely different structure: it describes a finished past habit or state and has no be/get and no -ing. Compare I used to drive on the left (I did in the past, not now) with I am used to driving on the left (it feels normal to me now). See Used To and Would for Past Habits.
  • Before you build the -ing form, make sure you are comfortable choosing between the -ing form and the infinitive after other verbs and prepositions. See Gerund or Infinitive: the Full Picture.

Recap card for the English be used to and get used to lesson showing state versus change with the -ing form

Quick recap before you practise.

Practice

Practice

Be used to and get used to practice

Try each one, then press Check. No sign-up, nothing is sent anywhere — it all runs in your browser.

1 Choose the correct sentence.
Show answer

I am used to driving on the left. — After used to (preposition) use the -ing form: used to driving. It needs the d and the -ing.

Hint: used to + -ing

Show answer

working — After be used to, a verb takes the -ing form: used to working.

3 Which sentence describes a CHANGE still in progress?
Show answer

I am getting used to the cold. — Get used to (am getting used to) describes becoming accustomed, a change in progress.

4 Put the words in order to make a question.

Show answer

Are you used to the noise? — Be used to questions use are/is/was: Are you used to the noise?

5 Match each sentence to its meaning.

  • I used to smoke
  • I am used to smoke
  • I am getting used to it
  • I got used to it
Show answer
  • I used to smoke → finished past habit
  • I am used to smoke → state: it feels normal
  • I am getting used to it → change in progress
  • I got used to it → change completed

Used to + base = past habit; be used to = state; get used to = change.

Hint: future of get

Show answer

will get — A future change uses will get used to: you will get used to it.

Quiz

Check yourself

Be used to and get used to quiz

12 questions · pick an answer and you'll see straight away if it's right.

0/12 0 answered
  1. 1Complete: 'I am used to ___ early.' (the verb 'get up')
    Show answer

    getting up — After used to (preposition) use the -ing form: getting up.

  2. 2Which means a finished PAST HABIT?
    Show answer

    I used to drive. — Used to + base verb (used to drive) is a finished past habit.

  3. 3Which describes a CHANGE from strange to normal?
    Show answer

    get used to — Get used to means to become accustomed — a change.

  4. 4Choose the correct sentence.
    Show answer

    She is used to the heat. — It is 'used' with a d after is/am/are, followed by a noun: used to the heat.

  5. 5Complete: 'It took me a month to ___ the new city.'
    Show answer

    get used to — A process over time uses get used to.

  6. 6Which sentence is WRONG?
    Show answer

    I am used to work here. — After used to you need the -ing form: used to working, not used to work.

  7. 7Complete the question: '___ you used to the weather yet?'
    Show answer

    Are — Be used to questions use are/is/was: Are you used to…?

  8. 8Complete the past state: 'We ___ used to hard work on the farm.'
    Show answer

    were — A past state with a plural subject: we were used to.

  9. 9What follows 'used to' in be/get used to?
    Show answer

    a noun or the -ing form — To is a preposition here, so a noun or the -ing form follows.

  10. 10Choose the best sentence.
    Show answer

    You'll get used to it. — A future change: you will get used to it.

  11. Show answer

    living — Get used to + -ing: got used to living.

  12. 12Which pair of meanings is correct?
    Show answer

    be used to = state; get used to = change — Be used to is a state (already comfortable); get used to is a change (becoming comfortable).

Recap cheat-sheet

Structure Meaning Example
used to + base finished past habit I used to smoke.
be used to + noun/-ing state: feels normal I am used to the noise.
get used to + noun/-ing change: becoming normal I am getting used to it.
after used to noun or -ing, never base used to working (not work)

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Grammar path

125 topics 125 ready now
A1 30 topics · 30 ready
  1. 01 Verb 'To Be' in the Present (am, is, are)
  2. 02 Subject Pronouns: I, You, He, She, It, We, They
  3. 03 Present Simple: Affirmative and the -s Ending
  4. 04 Present Simple: Negatives and Questions (do/does)
  5. 05 Articles: a / an and When to Use Each
  6. 06 The Definite Article 'The': When to Use It
  7. 07 Zero Article: When to Use No Article
  8. 08 Plural Nouns: Regular and Irregular Forms
  9. 09 This, That, These, Those (Demonstratives)
  10. 10 Possessive Adjectives: my, your, his, her
  11. 11 Possessive 's and s' (Showing Belonging)
  12. 12 There Is / There Are (Saying What Exists)
  13. 13 Have Got: Talking About Possession
  14. 14 Can and Can't for Ability
  15. 15 Present Continuous (am/is/are + -ing)
  16. 16 Imperatives: Giving Orders and Instructions
  17. 17 Adjectives: Position and Basic Use
  18. 18 Prepositions of Place: in, on, at
  19. 19 Prepositions of Time: in, on, at
  20. 20 Question Words: What, Where, When, Who, Why, How
  21. 21 How Much vs How Many
  22. 22 Countable and Uncountable Nouns
  23. 23 Some and Any: Which One to Use
  24. 24 Object Pronouns: me, you, him, her, us, them
  25. 25 Adverbs of Frequency and Their Position
  26. 26 Like, Love, Hate + -ing (Expressing Preferences)
  27. 27 Would Like: Polite Wants and Offers
  28. 28 Making Requests: Can, Could, May I
  29. 29 Past Simple of 'To Be' (was / were)
  30. 30 Let's and Shall We: Making Suggestions
A2 25 topics · 25 ready
  1. 31 Past Simple: Regular Verbs and -ed Spelling
  2. 32 Past Simple: Irregular Verbs (go, see, have)
  3. 33 Past Simple: Negatives and Questions (did)
  4. 34 Comparative Adjectives (bigger, more expensive)
  5. 35 Superlative Adjectives (the biggest, the most)
  6. 36 Going To: Plans and Predictions
  7. 37 Will: Predictions, Decisions and Offers
  8. 38 Present Continuous for Future Arrangements
  9. 39 Present Perfect for Experience (ever / never)
  10. 40 Present Perfect with just, already, yet
  11. 41 Present Perfect vs Past Simple
  12. 42 Have To and Don't Have To (Obligation)
  13. 43 Should and Shouldn't for Advice
  14. 44 Could: Past Ability and Polite Use
  15. 45 Much, Many, A Lot Of
  16. 46 A Few, A Little, Few, Little
  17. 47 Adverbs of Manner (quickly, well, hard)
  18. 48 Verb + -ing or Verb + to (Introduction)
  19. 49 Zero Conditional (Facts and Rules)
  20. 50 First Conditional (Real Future Possibility)
  21. 51 Prepositions of Movement (to, into, through)
  22. 52 Possessive Pronouns: mine, yours, hers
  23. 53 Past Continuous (was/were + -ing)
  24. 54 Too and Enough (Degree)
  25. 55 Order of Adjectives Before a Noun
B1 27 topics · 27 ready
  1. 56 Past Continuous vs Past Simple
  2. 57 Used To and Would for Past Habits
  3. 58 Present Perfect Continuous (have been -ing)
  4. 59 Present Perfect: Simple vs Continuous
  5. 60 Past Perfect (had + past participle)
  6. 61 Second Conditional (Unreal Present/Future)
  7. 62 Third Conditional (Unreal Past)
  8. 63 Reported Speech: Statements (Backshift)
  9. 64 Reported Questions
  10. 65 Reported Commands and Requests
  11. 66 Passive Voice: Present and Past Simple
  12. 67 Must and Mustn't (Strong Obligation)
  13. 68 May, Might, Could for Possibility
  14. 69 Defining Relative Clauses (who, which, that)
  15. 70 Non-Defining Relative Clauses (with commas)
  16. 71 Gerunds and Infinitives: Full Verb Patterns
  17. 72 Verbs Where -ing vs to Changes Meaning
  18. 73 Future Continuous (will be -ing)
  19. 74 So and Such (Emphasis)
  20. 75 As...As Comparisons (equality)
  21. 76 Question Tags (isn't it? do you?)
  22. 77 Phrasal Verbs: Separable and Inseparable
  23. 78 Linking Words: because, so, although, but
  24. 79 Infinitive of Purpose (to / in order to)
  25. 80 Indirect Questions (Can you tell me...)
  26. 81 Make, Let, Allow, Help (Causatives Intro)
  27. 82 Be Used To and Get Used To (+ -ing) You are here
B2 25 topics · 25 ready
  1. 83 Narrative Tenses for Storytelling
  2. 84 Past Perfect Continuous (had been -ing)
  3. 85 Mixed Conditionals
  4. 86 Wish and If Only (Regrets and Wishes)
  5. 87 Wish/If Only + would (Complaints)
  6. 88 Passive Voice: All Tenses and Modals
  7. 89 Reporting Passive (It is said that / is said to)
  8. 90 Causative: Have/Get Something Done
  9. 91 Reduced Relative Clauses (Participles)
  10. 92 Modals of Deduction: Present and Past
  11. 93 Needn't Have vs Didn't Need To
  12. 94 Future Perfect (will have done)
  13. 95 Participle Clauses (-ing / -ed / having done)
  14. 96 Advanced Comparatives (far/much + er, the more)
  15. 97 Conditional Alternatives: unless, as long as, provided
  16. 98 Advanced Determiners: each, every, either, neither
  17. 99 Intensifiers and Adverbs of Degree
  18. 100 Advanced Contrast: despite, in spite of, however
  19. 101 Advanced Linkers: therefore, moreover, consequently
  20. 102 Advanced Article Use (generalisations, names)
  21. 103 Verb + Preposition and Adjective + Preposition
  22. 104 Relative Clauses: whose, where, when, quantifier + whom
  23. 105 Subject-Verb Agreement: Tricky Cases
  24. 106 Emphatic Do (I do like it)
  25. 107 Would for Past Habits (Formal Narrative)
C1 18 topics · 18 ready
  1. 108 Inversion with Negative Adverbials
  2. 109 Inversion in Conditionals (Had I known)
  3. 110 Cleft Sentences (It was... / What I need is...)
  4. 111 Fronting and Emphasis (Word Order)
  5. 112 Subjunctive and Mandative (I suggest he be)
  6. 113 Ellipsis and Substitution (so, do, one)
  7. 114 Hedging and Cautious Language
  8. 115 Nominalisation (Academic Noun Style)
  9. 116 Advanced Discourse Markers (Spoken & Written)
  10. 117 Advanced Passive (passive + infinitive, get-passive)
  11. 118 Advanced Comparative Structures (no sooner...than)
  12. 119 Future in the Past (was going to / would)
  13. 120 Advanced Modals (may well, might as well, would rather)
  14. 121 Advanced Reported Speech (Reporting Verbs + Patterns)
  15. 122 Advanced and Idiomatic Phrasal Verbs
  16. 123 Collocation and Colligation (Natural Combinations)
  17. 124 Advanced Concession (much as, whatever, however + adj)
  18. 125 Absolute and Non-Finite Clauses (Formal)