“Used to” — B1 Interactive Tutorial

Goal: talk about past habits and states that are not true now, and tell the difference between used to, would, and be/get used to. Click the 🔊 buttons to listen.

1) What does used to mean?

Form used to + base verb → “in the past, but not now”

Pronunciation: /juːst tə/

Habit I used to walk to school.
State She used to live in Ankara.
Neg. I didn’t use to like coffee.
Q Did you use to play football?
Common mistakes & quick fixes

After DID / DIDN’T → write use to, not used to.

Did you use to go there? ✔️

Would = repeated past actions (not states). You can say “We would play outside”, but not “I would know French.”

be used to + noun/-ing = be accustomed to (now).

I’m used to getting up early. (It’s normal for me now.)

get used to = become accustomed.

She is getting used to driving in traffic.

2) Then vs Now (Mini Task)

Click the correct option to complete each sentence.

A. I ____ (play) the guitar, but I don’t anymore.

B. I live in London now. I’m ____ the rain.

Tip: “be/get used to + noun/-ing”.

3) Guided Practice (Type your answers)

Type the correct form. Then click Check. (Spelling variations like “didn’t use to / didn’t used to” → we accept the common modern form didn’t use to.)

1. When I was a child, I ____ (swim) in the lake every summer.

2. I ____ (not / eat) spicy food, but now I love it.

3. (Question) ____ you ____ (watch) cartoons every morning?

4. I’m ____ (live) alone; it doesn’t feel strange now.

Better: used to living (-ing) because it’s be used to.

4) Grammar in Context (Listening + Tasks)

Read and listen to the short story. Then answer the questions.

Story “Two years ago, Ayşe moved from a small town to Istanbul. She used to take long walks by the sea, but now she commutes by metro. At first, she couldn’t sleep because of the noise. Slowly, she is getting used to the traffic and crowds. She still misses her old house, where she used to live with her grandparents. These days, she studies late at night, and she’s used to drinking strong tea.”

1. Past habit that is not true now:

2. Meaning of “getting used to” here:

5) Quick Reference

UseFormExampleNotes
Past habits / states (not now) used to + V1 We used to live in Izmir. States OK (live, be, know) and actions (play, go).
Questions / negatives Did + subject + use to… / didn’t use to… Did you use to wear a uniform? After did/didn’t → write use (no “d”).
Repeated past actions would + V1 On Sundays, we would visit my aunt. Not for states (*I would know French ✖).
Be accustomed (now) be used to + noun/-ing I’m used to waking up early. Focus on present comfort.
Become accustomed get used to + noun/-ing He’s getting used to cold weather. Focus on the process.

6) Mini Test (10 questions)

Choose the best answer or type the correct form. Click Grade at the end.

1. When we were kids, we ____ in the river every summer. (habit)

2. I ____ (not / like) olives, but I love them now.

3. ____ you ____ (have) a bike when you were 10?

4. On cold evenings, my dad ____ hot chocolate for us. (repeated action)

5. I live near a busy road. I’m ____ the noise now.

6. She is ____ (drive) on the left; she moved to the UK last year.

Better: driving (-ing) after “get used to”.

7. My grandparents ____ (live) in a farmhouse. They sold it years ago.

8. We ____ (not / have) smartphones at school.

9. ____ your brother ____ (play) chess with you?

10. At weekends, we ____ long walks in the forest. (either possible)

Pronunciation & Fluency Tip

Say it quickly: used to → /juːst tə/. Try these: “I used to…” 🔊 “Did you use to…?” 🔊 “I didn’t use to…” 🔊