Used to, would, be used to, get used to

What's in the lesson

1. 1Warm-up
2. 2Reading: back from the South PoleReading comprehension
3. 3What does it mean?Grammar exercise
4. 4used to or would?Grammar exercise
5. 5used to, would, be used to, get used toGrammar rule
6. 6Choose the right formGrammar exercise
7. 7Back to collegeGrammar exercise
8. 8Build the sentencesGrammar exercise
9. 9Say it naturallySpeaking practice
10. 10Big changesSpeaking practice
11. 11About youGrammar exercise
12. 12Wrap-up

Homework

1. 1Homework: a new life in StockholmGrammar exercise
2. 2Homework: which is right?Grammar exercise
3. 3Homework: a place that has changedDiscussion

Two slides from the lesson

Warm-up

A few questions about you before we start.

1. Have you ever spent time somewhere very cold or very far from other people? What was it like?
2. What do you usually miss most when you are away from home?
3. When you come back from a long trip, what do you notice first at home?

Grammar rule

used to, would, be used to, get used to

Past habits and states

Form	Use	Example
used to + verb	a repeated action or a state that is not true now	I used to own a motorcycle.
didn't use to / never used to	the negative	She didn't use to like jazz.
Did… use to…?	the question	Did she use to work here?
would + verb	a repeated action only (not a state), often in a story once the time is clear	When I was little, my mom would sing to me every night.
the past simple	one event, or how many times or how long in total	I went to Rome twice. I studied French for six years.

Not I used to go to Rome twice or I used to study French for six years: when you count the times or say how long something lasted in total, use the past simple. A frequency is fine with used to and would: I used to swim twice a week.

Familiar, or becoming familiar

Form	Meaning	Example
be used to + -ing or a noun	it is normal for you	Our kids are used to moving: we've lived in four countries.
get used to + -ing or a noun	it becomes (or is becoming) normal for you, in any tense	You'll soon get used to the jet lag. She got used to her new boss quickly. I haven't gotten used to my new schedule yet.

used to for habits has no be: I used to drive. be used to has be: I'm used to driving. Both sound like "yoost-tuh" (/ˈjuːstə/). In American English, the past participle of get is gotten: I've gotten used to it.