used to

If you are familiar with something through experience, it no longer feels strange or difficult.

• I am used to the cold.
• She is used to getting up early.
• Have you got used to your new job?

How to use it: be used to + noun (I am used to the noise.); be used to + -ing (She is used to working late.); get used to + noun/-ing (You will get used to living here.)

Similar words: accustomed to, familiar with

Opposites: unaccustomed to

Common phrases: be used to something, get used to something, used to working

Used before a verb for something that happened regularly in the past, but may no longer happen.

• I used to swim every day.
• We used to visit our grandparents each summer.
• Did you use to play football at school?

How to use it: used to + base verb (We used to play outside every day.); did not use to + base verb (I did not use to drink coffee.); did + subject + use to + base verb (Did you use to walk to school?)

Similar words: would

Common phrases: used to play, used to walk, used to visit

Used before a verb for something that happened regularly in the past but does not happen now.

• We used to walk to school.
• My father used to read to me every night.
• Did she use to work here?

How to use it: used to + base verb (They used to visit us every Sunday.); did not use to + base verb (She did not use to eat meat.); did + subject + use to + base verb (Did you use to ride a bike to school?)

Similar words: would

Common phrases: used to play, used to walk, used to visit

Used before a verb for a situation that was true in the past but is no longer true.

• This used to be a school.
• They used to live next door to us.
• Did your family use to own this house?

How to use it: used to + base verb (There used to be a shop here.); did not use to + base verb (This street did not use to be busy.); did + subject + use to + base verb (Did you use to live nearby?)

Common phrases: used to be, used to have, used to live

If you have experienced something often, it feels normal and is no longer surprising or difficult.

• We are used to the noise.
• I got used to waking up early.
• Are you used to working with children?

How to use it: be used to + noun (He is used to the cold.); be used to + -ing (I am used to driving on the left.); get used to + noun/-ing (She got used to living alone.)

Similar words: be accustomed to

Common phrases: be used to something, get used to something, used to driving