be used to + object (something, doing something)
= something that is familiar to you; it’s not new or unusual
= something that is easy for you to do because you’ve done it so many times or for so long
Example sentences:
Jane is used to her teenage son’s strange behaviour.
I just moved to London. I‘m not used to driving on the left-hand side of the road.
Important!
*be used to CANNOT be followed by a verb in the base form:
X: I am used to live alone.
*used in this expression is an adjective, not a verb:
– to is a preposition, not part of the infinitive form of the verb (‘to live’)
– When to is a preposition and part of a combination, it’s OK to use a gerund after it
*be used to is NOT the same as used to!
More example sentences:
A: How can you stand that all that noise from the construction site next door?
B: I’m used to it. They’ve been working on that building for 6 months!He’s really nervous about making a speech in front of so many people. He‘s not used to speaking to such a large audience!
A: Aren’t you lonely living in that big house by yourself?
B: Not really. I‘m used to living alone. I’ve lived alone for the past 4 years!Karen is really struggling! She has to get up at 5:30am for her new job and she‘s not used to getting up so early!
How do you like living in Australia? Are you used to the hot weather?
I went to the gym last night for the first time in months. My whole body is sore now! I’m not used to working out.
Hello, Melanie! Now I'm going to make an attempt to be correct in uses of set expressions with “used to” :)
I used to doubt what set expression with “used to” to choose. Now I understand well the difference in “used to / be used to / get used to”. Your lesson and several pod casts on YouTube have given me a final push to complete understanding the issue. Thank you!
I’ve join to your subscribers recently. Also we’re in connection on YouTube, my nick there is TheBestSea. Now I want to get used to reading your blog regularly :)
hey melanie..
yeahh i also believe english is a ridicolous and strange language. but i love it as it is. time i dont read a so cleaaaar blog. spanish is my native language. btw im from peru. your lessons are really helpful, and be sure we learn from them. keep as you r doing. god blesses you. regards .melanie.
carlos
Thanks