Be Used To vs Get Used To

Be Used To vs Get Used To: Clear Explanation with Examples

Many English learners get confused about the difference between “be used to” and “get used to.” They look similar, but they don’t mean the same thing. One talks about something you’re already comfortable with, and the other describes the process of becoming comfortable. Be Used To vs Get Used To

Let’s break it down clearly, step by step.

BE USED TO

Form:

BE USED TO + noun / pronoun / -ing form

When you are used to something, it means you are accustomed to it. It’s not new, strange, or surprising any more. You have become comfortable with it over time.

Examples:

• After ten years of working in that factory, I am used to the smell of the chemicals.
• I’m used to eating in that restaurant. I go there regularly.
• Jane works with small children, so she’s used to dealing with noise.
• Are you used to walking long distances? We hike every weekend.
• When I lived by the sea, I was used to strong winds every day.

Be Used To vs Get Used To

Verb tenses

The structure be used to can appear in any tense:

Past:

• When I was a teenager, I was used to staying up late.

Present:

• I’m not used to the noise here — my neighbours are driving me crazy.

Future:

• You’ll be used to working long hours after a few months.

GET USED TO

Form:

GET USED TO + noun / pronoun / -ing form

Get used to describes a process of change. You’re not comfortable yet, but you’re gradually becoming familiar with something.

Examples:

• Now that I live in England, I’ll have to get used to driving on the left.
• It takes time to get used to living in another country.
• Have you got used to the New Zealand accent yet?
• The twins are slowly getting used to sharing a room.
• At first the job was stressful, but she eventually got used to leading a team.

Be Used To vs Get Used To

Verb tenses

Again, this structure works in many tenses:

Past:

• It took me a while, but I finally got used to commuting by train.

Present Continuous:

• We’re getting used to using the new software.

Future:

• Don’t worry — you’ll soon get used to speaking English every day.

USED TO + bare infinitive (different meaning!)

This is a completely different structure, and it only describes past habits or past states. It only works in the past, and it is never followed by a noun or an -ing form.

Form:

USED TO + verb (bare infinitive)

Examples:

• I used to be the best at English in my class.
• Did you use to eat a lot of chocolate when you were younger?
• Sheila didn’t use to clean her house much in the past, but now she does.
• We used to live in a small flat before we bought this house.
• People used to write letters instead of emails.

Be Used To vs Get Used To

Quick Summary

Download the exercise for this lesson in PDF here

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