English Teacher Melanie: Grammar – Be Used To
In the listening lesson ‘The Licence Plate,’ I said…
Strange government rules and regulations are not something new to me. Unfortunately, they are a fact of life! They are something I experience regularly.
= 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
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
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.
*NOTE: Be used to is NOT the same as used to!
