“Get used to” and “used to” are closely related phrases, but they are not interchangeable. One describes a change or adjustment happening over time, while the other talks about past habits or past states that no longer exist.
This confusion is common because both phrases contain the words “used to,” but they work differently in a sentence and express different time relationships.
Quick Answer
- Used to describes something that happened regularly in the past but does not happen now.
- Get used to means becoming comfortable or familiar with something over time.
Examples:
- “I used to live in Chicago.”
- “I’m getting used to living in Chicago.”
The first sentence talks about the past.
The second talks about adapting.
Why People Confuse Them
The confusion usually comes from the shared phrase “used to.”
However, the grammar after each expression changes:
- Used to is followed by a base verb.
- “She used to drive.”
- Get used to is followed by a noun or an -ing verb.
- “She got used to driving.”
Both phrases can also talk about past experiences, which makes the difference feel less obvious at first.
Key Differences At A Glance
| Context | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Talking about an old habit | used to | Refers to repeated past actions |
| Describing adaptation | get used to | Shows adjustment over time |
| Something no longer true | used to | Indicates change from the past |
| Becoming comfortable with change | get used to | Focuses on transition |
| Followed by a base verb | used to | “Used to play” |
| Followed by a noun or -ing verb | get used to | “Get used to playing” |
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Get Used To | Used To |
|---|---|---|
| Main meaning | Adaptation | Past habit or state |
| Time focus | Transition/change | Past only |
| Grammar pattern | to + noun/-ing verb | to + base verb |
| Example | “I got used to waking up early.” | “I used to wake up early.” |
Meaning and Usage Difference
“Used To”
“Used to” describes repeated actions, routines, or conditions from the past that are no longer true now.
Examples:
- “We used to eat dinner outside every summer.”
- “He used to be shy.”
- “I used to work night shifts.”
This phrase creates a contrast between the past and the present.
“Get Used To”
“Get used to” means becoming familiar, comfortable, or adjusted to something.
Examples:
- “She is getting used to her new job.”
- “They got used to the cold weather.”
- “You’ll get used to waking up early.”
The focus is not the past itself. The focus is the process of adapting.
Tone, Context, and Formality
Both expressions work naturally in formal and informal American English.
“Used to” often appears in storytelling, conversation, and personal reflection.
- “I used to visit my grandparents every weekend.”
“Get used to” appears frequently when discussing life changes, routines, jobs, school, parenting, travel, or relationships.
- “It takes time to get used to remote work.”
Neither phrase sounds overly formal or overly casual.
Which One Should You Use?
Use used to when discussing:
- past routines
- old behaviors
- former situations
- things that changed
Use get used to when discussing:
- adjustment
- adaptation
- becoming comfortable
- learning to accept something new
A quick test helps:
- If you can replace it with “formerly,” choose used to.
- If you can replace it with “adapt to,” choose get used to.
When One Choice Sounds Wrong
Some sentences become grammatically incorrect if the wrong phrase is used.
Incorrect:
- “I used to driving at night.”
Correct:
- “I used to drive at night.”
- “I got used to driving at night.”
Incorrect:
- “She got used to be alone.”
Correct:
- “She got used to being alone.”
The structure after the phrase matters just as much as the meaning.
Common Mistakes (and Quick Fixes)
One of the biggest mistakes is using the wrong verb form after each phrase.
Incorrect:
- “I used to going there.”
Correct:
- “I used to go there.”
Incorrect:
- “He got used to work late.”
Correct:
- “He got used to working late.”
Another common issue appears in questions and negatives.
Natural forms:
- “Did you use to play baseball?”
- “I didn’t use to like coffee.”
In modern American English, many writers drop the “d” in “used” after “did” because the past tense is already carried by “did.”
Everyday Examples
Here are some natural examples from daily American English.
“Used To”
- “We used to order pizza every Friday.”
- “My dad used to coach Little League.”
- “I used to hate mornings.”
- “They used to live near the beach.”
“Get Used To”
- “You’ll get used to the traffic.”
- “I’m getting used to my new schedule.”
- “She finally got used to wearing glasses.”
- “It took me weeks to get used to the noise.”
Mixed Comparison
- “I used to work from home, so I quickly got used to the new system.”
- “He used to avoid public speaking, but now he’s getting used to it.”
Dictionary-Style Word Details
Verb
Used to
A phrase showing repeated past action or a past condition that no longer exists.
Get used to
A phrase meaning to become familiar or comfortable with something.
Noun
Neither expression functions as a standard noun phrase in normal American English usage.
Synonyms
Used to
- formerly
- once
- previously
Get used to
- adapt to
- become accustomed to
- adjust to
Example Sentences
- “I used to play basketball after school.”
- “She got used to the early meetings.”
- “We used to own a cabin.”
- “You’ll get used to the new software.”
Word History
Both expressions developed from older English patterns connected to habit and familiarity.
“Used to” gradually became a standard way to describe repeated past actions.
“Get used to” developed as a phrase connected to becoming accustomed to situations or routines.
Phrases Containing
- used to be
- used to have
- get used to it
- getting used to
- never used to
- can’t get used to
FAQ
Is “get used to” always followed by an -ing verb?
It can be followed by either a noun or an -ing verb.
- “I got used to the weather.”
- “I got used to driving.”
Can “used to” talk about states and not just actions?
Yes. It can describe past conditions or situations.
- “There used to be a bookstore here.”
Is “be used to” different from “get used to”?
Yes. “Be used to” means already comfortable with something, while “get used to” describes the process of adapting.
- “I am used to the noise.”
- “I am getting used to the noise.”
Why do people say “did use to” instead of “did used to”?
In questions and negatives, modern American English usually drops the extra “d” because “did” already marks the past tense.
Which phrase is more common in conversation?
Both are extremely common, but they appear in different situations. “Used to” is common when talking about the past, while “get used to” appears often when discussing change or adjustment.
Conclusion
“Used to” and “get used to” may look similar, but they serve very different purposes.
Use used to for past habits or situations that no longer exist.
Use get used to for adaptation and adjustment over time.
The easiest way to remember the difference is this:
- used to = past habit
- get used to = becoming comfortable
Once you notice the grammar pattern after each phrase, choosing the correct one becomes much easier.
