Used toGet used to

To be used to doing and would

3 expressions that look similar but have different meanings

• To used to do something

• To be used to doing something

• To get used to doing something

MeaningUsed to

This refers to an action or habit that happened regularly in the past that does not continue nowFor example:I used to listen to Nirvana.They used to go on holiday as a family.We used to study together at university.

We can also use “used to” for something that was true in the past but no longer is nowFor example:The bus prices used to be cheaper.There used to be a cinema on that corner.I used to have long hair

Form

Personal pronoun Used to infinitive

I YouWeTheyShe HeIt

Used

To+

GoBuy

HaveKnow

DoFindwant

Note that used to takes infinitive

To be used to doing somethingmeaning

To be used to doing somethingThis refers to an action or habit in the present that is very normal for us.Things we do everyday or things we have practiced for a long time and are very normal or easy for you.ExamplesI am used to speaking English.She is used to working a lot.We are not used to such high temperaturesAre you used to working so much?

FormTo be used to doing something

To be used to doing something takes -ING

Personal pronoun Used to infinitiveI YouWeTheyShe HeIt

am used is used

Are usedWas used Were used

will be usedwould be used

To+

GoingBuyingHaving

KnowingDoing

Findingwanting

To get used to doing somethingMeaning

This refers to the process of an action becoming normal for us. When we do something for the first time it is new to us but over time with practice it becomes normal to us.ExamplesI got used to driving.I got used to working 50 hours a week.I just can’t get used to the Irish weather!She got used to working there.I’m getting used to it.You’ll get used to it in time don’t worry.

Form

Personal pronoun Used to infinitiveI YouWeTheyShe HeIt

Get used am getting used

got used will usedwould get

can get used could get used

To+

itGoingBuyingHaving

KnowingDoing

FindingWantnoun

To get used to doing somethingTo get used to takes -ING

PronunciationThe word “used” can be pronounced in 2

different ways.The verb “to use” in the sense of purpose or utilization or why?I used a microwave yesterday.

Us’dIn this case we can pronounce this as if the “e” is not there us’d.

PronunciationI used to do something.

To be used to doing something .To get used to doing something.

When referring to common activities. It creates a “T” sound.I used to work a lot more.

Us’tIn this case we can pronounce this as if the “d” is a strong “T” sound.

Patterns of contractions in English• I’m going to see him tomorrow• I’m gonna see him tomorrow• I want to visit Prague• I wanna visit Prague• I have to go now• I hafta go now.• I used to work more• I usta work more

Form of Used to for past habitual actions

Personal pronoun

+ - ?

I YouWe theyHe Sheit

Used to

Didn’t use to

did

I YouWe theyHe Sheit

Use to

Note that Used to does not have a present formIn English to express this idea we would use say What I usually or normally do.

What about you?• What is a food you used to hate but now you

like?• Who used to be your hero when you were

young?• Who did you used to play with as a child?• What is a habit you had that you stopped doing?• What was life like 15 years ago in your city?• What were things you used to do?• What was your last job like in your country?• What were tasks you used to do everyday?

What about you?

What are some difficult things you have done in your life? Give 2 examples• Why was it so difficult?• What did you need to learn?• What was new to you in the experience?

your past experiencesFinish the sentences in your own words.

• In this experience I had to get used to__________.

• At first I wasn’t used to __________but I got used to it.

• It took me a long time to get used to __________.

WouldThe word would can be used it four different

ways

Would1 : polite requests

Would3 :past habits that happened regularly in the past

2 : The simple conditional

4 :refusal or malfunction in the past.

Pronunciation of the word

Would

• We must imagine that the L is silent

Would for polite requests

• Would if often used with mind to make polite requests

• Would you mind helping me with these boxes?

Notice the formWould + mind+ ing

Would is often used when we order food in restaurants.I would like to have etc

The simple conditional

• Would talks about probability• The percentage of the possibility of an event

• I would never do that!• She would never give me the money.• My boss would never let me go home early.– Very small probability of this event

Would vs would like

• Many students have confuse would and would like.

• I would go there if I had the money= there is a good possibility of this action in a given situation

• I would like to do it= a personal preference or wish to do something.

Would for past habitual actions

• Would can be used to refer to past habitual actions

• When we were children we would spend all day at the beach.

• My dad would always tell us funny stories .• In the 1800s they would wash all their clothes

by hand.

Refusal or malfunction in the past

• When we speak about past events, would can indicate a kind of refusal by a person or a malfunction by some kind of device.

• For example- you ask someone for help and they refuse

• “I asked him to help me but he wouldn’t”• I tried to reason with him but he simply wouldn’t

listen.• I put the key in the lock but the door wouldn’t open.• I turned on my computer but the screen wouldn’t

work.

Would vs Used toextremely similar but a little different

Used toStates and past actions

• I used to have long hair• I used to be very shy.

WouldPast actions

• When I lived in Barcelona I would get up late everyday.

• We would play football all day as children.