GV

Used to / Would / Be used to

Expressing past habits and states: used to do, would do, be used to doing

intermediate

When to Use Used to / Would / Be used to

  • •Used to + base: past habits/states no longer true. I used to smoke. She used to live here.
  • •Would + base: repeated past actions (not states). We would play in the park every day.
  • •Be used to + -ing: familiar/accustomed to. I'm used to waking up early.
  • •Get used to + -ing: becoming accustomed. I'm getting used to the new job.
  • •Used to for states; would only for actions.

How to Form Used to / Would / Be used to

Affirmative (+)

Used to + base verb; Would + base verb; Be used to + -ing

Negative (-)

Didn't use to + base; Wouldn't + base; Not used to + -ing

Question (?)

Did you use to...? Would you...? Are you used to...?

💡 Used to (past habit) vs be used to (familiarity) - different structures!

Examples of Used to / Would / Be used to

✓I used to play tennis.

✗I use to play tennis.

Past tense: used to.

✓We would visit grandma every Sunday.

✗We would live in Paris (state).

Would is for actions, not states.

✓I'm used to working late.

✗I'm used to work late.

Be used to + -ing (gerund).

Common Mistakes with Used to / Would / Be used to

💡 Practice Tips for Used to / Would / Be used to

  • • Used to = past habit/state (no longer true).
  • • Would = repeated past action (not states).
  • • Be used to + -ing = accustomed to.
  • • Get used to + -ing = becoming accustomed.
Quick Quiz
  1. 1.When I was a kid, I   play in the woods every afternoon.
  2. 2.I'm   working night shifts — I started two years ago.
  3. 3.Which sentence describes a past STATE? 
  4. Question 4: I blank (use) to like coffee, but now I love it.
    4.I (use) to like coffee, but now I love it.
  5. Question 5: I didn't blank to like vegetables when I was a child.
    5.I didn't to like vegetables when I was a child.
  6. Question 6: Every Sunday, my grandmother blank (would/used) bake fresh bread for us.
    6.Every Sunday, my grandmother (would/used) bake fresh bread for us.
  7. Question 7: I'm getting blank to (drive) on the left side of the road.
    7.I'm getting to (drive) on the left side of the road.
  8. Question 8: She's not blank (use) to such cold weather — she grew up in the tropics.
    8.She's not (use) to such cold weather — she grew up in the tropics.
  9. Question 9: He blank (use) to live in Tokyo, but he moved to Berlin last year.
    9.He (use) to live in Tokyo, but he moved to Berlin last year.
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