Used to

The used to structure is a bit of a minefield for both teachers and students of English. It can be used in two ways, which may sometimes lead to confusion:
 * be/get used to: a very commonly used multi-word verb form, which can be used as a semi-auxiliary, i.e. it needs a main verb (in the following example "live") - I never thought I'd get used to living in a big city. - or with a direct object - I never thought I'd get used to the noise of the traffic going past my bedroom window;
 * used to: a very commonly used multi-word verb form, in this case, a semi-auxiliary (i.e. it always needs a main verb, in the following examples "smoke" and "be") - I used to smoke. - referring to a past habit, or "habitual situation" - There used to be a bookshop here..

Note. It's necessary to point out to students that these two structures are not the same as the verb "use", especially when using the past tense. In that regard, the pronunciation should also be practised: I used to dance /juːst/, I'm used to mosquitoes /juːst/, He used his laptop /juːzd/.

Used to + "verb"
This is used to describe repeated or habitual situations which existed in the past but which no longer exist or occur.


 * I used to live in the UK.
 * I used to smoke a lot.

"used to be"
Is used to describe circumstances rather than actions:


 * There used to be a cinema here.

The spelling of the negative can cause problems:


 * I didn't use to smoke a lot.
 * There didn't use to be a cinema here.

The process of change
The process of becoming accustomed to something is described with the structure "Get used to" + ing or noun:


 * Now I have moved to Spain I must get used to driving on the right.

It can also be used in the continuous to describe the process:


 * I have lived in Spain for six months and I'm getting used to driving on the right.

The present perfect can refer to the termination of the process of change:


 * After a year I have got used to driving on the right.

Or the past perfect can refer to the termination in the past:


 * After a year I had got used to driving on the right.

Present states
be/get used to + "-ing" or noun.

This is used to describe states or situations which a person is now accustomed to - or not. There is frequently the idea that some sort of effort was required to reach this state.


 * I'm used to living in Spain.
 * I'm used to my husband's cigarette smoke.
 * I can't get used to his snoring.
 * I'm slowly getting used to having to work nights and sleep during the day.

Teaching
A quick lesson may be created by asking students to imagine that they have moved from their present country to a new one.

Ask them what they used to do in their old country. Then ask them what they must get used to in the new country. Then ask them to imagine that they have been living in the country for six months. What are they getting used to? Finally ask them to imagine they have been living in the new country for five years. What are they now used to doing?