Used to + verb means that something happened regularly or was true in the past but isn't now: I used to smoke means you smoked before but don't any more. Be used to + -ing or a noun means to be accustomed to something, and get used to means to become accustomed to it. The first is about the past, the second about your present state, the third about the process.
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used to + verb; didn't use to + verb; be used to + noun/-ing; get used to + noun/-ing
- I used to play football every weekend, but now I prefer swimming.
- After three years in London, I'm used to driving on the left.
- It took me a few weeks to get used to lectures in English.
What changed
First versionI'm used to get up at six, so early flights don't bother me.
RevisionI'm used to getting up at six, so early flights don't bother me.
Used to is often followed by a plain verb, so am used to get up can look right. But in be used to, to must be followed by an -ing form or a noun: used to getting up, used to early mornings. A plain verb after to only appears in used to without be, which talks about the past.
Be used to and get used to differ as a state and a process. I'm used to the noise means the noise no longer bothers you. I'm getting used to the noise means you are still adjusting to it. In negatives and questions about a past habit, write use without d: I didn't use to drink coffee.
Your turn
I've worked night shifts for ten years, so I ___ sleeping during the day.
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am used to — The person still works nights and has long been accustomed to sleeping during the day. That is be used to, and it is followed by sleeping. Used to without am would describe a past habit that no longer exists, and it would need a plain verb after it: used to sleep.
Write about a change in your life: what you used to do and what you then had to get used to. Use used to and get used to in one sentence.
I used to work from home, so it took me a while to get used to commuting every day.
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