مدونة التربية و التعليم في الجزائر – دروس، فروض، نتائج امتحانات مدونة التربية والتعليم في الجزائر | تحضير الدروس، فروض واختبارات، نتائج البكالوريا وBEM، مسابقات التوظيف، والتوجيه المدرسي للطلاب وأولياء الأمور.
Learning Objectives
- Distinguish between “used to”, “be used to”, and “get used to”
- Use “used to” for past habits and states correctly
- Use “be used to” for accustomed actions
- Use “get used to” for the process of becoming accustomed
Introduction
One of the most confusing areas in English grammar is the three expressions “used to”, “be used to”, and “get used to”. Although they look similar, each has a different meaning and grammatical structure. Mastering their distinction is essential for Bac exams and fluent English use.
1. Used To + Infinitive (Past Habits)
Structure: Subject + used to + base verb
Meaning: Describes past habits or states that no longer happen in the present.
- ✅ “I used to play football every weekend.” (I don’t anymore)
- ✅ “She used to live in London.” (She moved away)
- ❌ “I use to play” — incorrect
Negative: Subject + didn’t use to + base verb
“I didn’t use to like coffee, but now I do.”
Question: Did + subject + use to + base verb?
“Did you use to smoke?”
2. Be Used To + Noun/Gerund (Accustomed)
Structure: Subject + be (am/is/are/was/were) + used to + noun/gerund
Meaning: Describes something that is familiar or normal; something the subject is accustomed to.
- ✅ “I am used to waking up early.”
- ✅ “He is used to the cold weather.”
- ✅ “They were used to living in a big city.”
3. Get Used To + Noun/Gerund (Process of Becoming Accustomed)
Structure: Subject + get/got/will get + used to + noun/gerund
Meaning: Describes the process of becoming accustomed to something new.
- ✅ “I am getting used to my new job.” (process happening now)
- ✅ “She got used to driving on the left.” (process completed)
- ✅ “You will get used to the heat.” (future process)
| Expression | Structure | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Used to | used to + base verb | Past habit (no longer true) | I used to play tennis. |
| Be used to | be + used to + V-ing/noun | Accustomed to | I am used to noise. |
| Get used to | get + used to + V-ing/noun | Become accustomed | I am getting used to it. |
🏆 Bac Practice Exercise
Question: Complete with (used to / be used to / get used to):
- When I was a child, I ______ (play) with dolls.
- I can’t ______ (wake) up early. It’s so difficult!
- He is French, so he ______ (drive) on the right side.
li>She ______ (live) in a small town, but now she lives in the capital.
Answers: 1. used to play, 2. used to live, 3. get used to waking, 4. is used to driving
Summary
- Used to + verb = past habits (no longer true)
- Be used to + V-ing/noun = being accustomed
- Get used to + V-ing/noun = becoming accustomed
- Key difference: “Used to” is followed by a base verb; the other two take a gerund or noun
📍 دروس مشابهة:
- Reported Speech (Indirect Speech): Rules for Statements, Questions and Commands with Bac Exam Exercises — 3rd Year Secondary School (Bac) English — Algerian Curriculum
- Word Formation: Prefixes, Suffixes and Compounding — 3rd Year Secondary School (Bac) English
