Used To vs. Be Used To
“Used to + verb” describes a past habit or state that is no longer true. “Be used to + noun/-ing” means be accustomed to something.
Use “used to + base verb” for a former habit or state. Use “be used to + noun/-ing” for something that is familiar or customary to someone.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Context | Use | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| former habit or state that no longer holds | used to + base verb | Use “used to” before the base verb. |
| something is familiar or customary to someone | be used to + noun/-ing | Use a form of “be” plus “used to,” followed by a noun, pronoun, or -ing form. |
| choosing the verb form after the phrase | check the construction | Do not treat the two look-alike structures as grammatically identical. |
Quick tests
Meaning-and-form test
Are you talking about a former habit/state rather than present familiarity?
If yes: Use “used to + base verb.”
If no: For being accustomed to something, use “be used to + noun/-ing.”
Caveat: The expressions look similar but have different meanings and grammatical structures.
Examples
I used to walk to work every day.
“Used to + base verb” describes a former repeated habit.
She used to live near the station.
The construction describes a former state.
They are used to working late.
“Be used to” means accustomed to, and the preposition is followed by an -ing form.
Further guidance
Accustomed Pattern
Be used to is adjectival in meaning and is followed by a noun, pronoun, or -ing form.
Past Pattern
Used to + base verb refers to past habits or states that no longer hold.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Used to (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Used to for past habits/states no longer true, plus be used to and get used to for being/becoming accustomed