We would spend hours… · I'm used to it · I'm getting used to it
Building on B2
used to → would → be / get used to
At B2 you learned used to + infinitive for past habits and states. B2 adds would for past habits and be / get used to for things that are, or become, normal for you.
When I was a kid, we would play outside until dark.
I'm used to getting up early.
It's normal for me.
would for past habits
Repeated actions — not states
Every summer we would drive to the coast.
A repeated action → would or used to.
I used to have long hair.
A state → used to only. Not: I would have long hair.
would for habits is common in stories once the time is clear: When I was little…
be used to + -ing
Something is normal, not strange
be used to + noun / -ing
She's used to the cold — she grew up in Norway.
I'm not used to driving on the left.
to is a preposition here, so -ing follows: used to driving.
get used to + -ing
The process of it becoming normal
I'm getting used to my new job.
It's becoming normal.
You'll get used to it.
It will become normal.
It took me months to get used to living alone.
I've never got used to the noise.
Three structures side by side
Different meanings
used to + infinitive
past habit or state: I used to work at night.
be used to + -ing
normal for me now: I'm used to working at night.
get used to + -ing
becoming normal: I'm getting used to working at night.
Common mistakes
Where learners go wrong most often
I'm used to get up early.
→
I'm used to getting up early.
be used to + -ing
When I was young I would live in Rome.
→
When I was young I used to live in Rome.
state → used to, not would
I can't get used to live here.
→
I can't get used to living here.
get used to + -ing
I used to driving on the right.
→
I'm used to driving on the right.
normal now → be used to
Your turn
Answer out loud — full sentences
Use would, be used to and get used to.
1
Describe a typical summer when you were a child. What would you do?
2
What are you used to now that was strange at first?
3
What would be hard to get used to if you moved abroad?