Used to + ing form - (Level: Intermediate to Advanced)

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In today's episode we'll be looking how "used to" is used with "-ing" form. There are basically two ways of doing that. Each of these ways carries a distinct meaning. We can form sentences with verb "be" + "used to" + "-ing" or with "get" or "become" + "used to" + "-ing". If you want to know more about "used to", you can also check out the episode called "routine in the past with used to".

Well, let's look at some examples with the first form - which is verb "be" + "used to" + "-ing".

1) I was used to getting up early in the morning, but nowadays I usually stay in bed until 10 o'clock.

2) George is used to working late, he won't mind if you ask him to finish the report today.

3) In a few days, everyone will be used to following the company's new policy on energy saving.

As you can see, verb "be" can be used in different tenses to form sentences with "used to". In these examples the meaning is basically related to "being accostumed" to doing something - which means it is pretty much like a routine, something easy to be done. Now, if the activity you are talking about is already part of the context in the conversation, you might as well omit the "-ing" form and the complement coming afterwards. For instance, in the third example, you might just say.. "In a few days, everyone will be used to it".

Now let's see some examples with the second structure, which is "get" + "used to" + "-ing".

1) John got used to getting up early after a couple of weeks in the army.

2) Julia gets used to taking on new responsibilities very easily, she's very adaptable.

3) Don't worry, I will get used to following the new health and safety recommendations.

In this case, again, verb "be" can be used in different tenses and the meaning here is related to the transition between "not being accostumed" and "being accostumed" - that is, "becoming accostumed". Of course, then, in these three examples we could also use "become" instead of "get". Like in the first form, we can also omit the "-ing" and the complement coming afterwards if the activity you are talking about is already part of the context in the conversation. In this case you would just say.. "I will get used to it soon".

Well, this is it! Thanks for listening!!! I'm Marcos Gazzana and this is English Language Podcast.

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