Grammar: B1 - ⚙️ Verbs in Depth: ⏳ Perfect & Continuous Tenses - Lesson 8: "be used to + noun/-ing" vs. "get used to + noun/-ing" (Familiarity)

⚙️ Lesson 8: "be used to" vs. "get used to"

In our last lesson, we learned about "used to + infinitive" for past habits. Today, we look at two similar-sounding phrases with completely different meanings and structures: "be used to" and "get used to." These phrases are not about the past; they are about familiarity¹.

The most important rule is that "be used to" and "get used to" are followed by a noun or a gerund² (verb-ing form).

"be used to" — The State of Being Familiar

We use "be used to" to say that we are accustomed to³ a situation. It feels normal or comfortable for us now. It describes a state.

Structure: Subject + be (am, is, are, was, were) + used to + noun / gerund

• "I am a teacher, so I am used to speaking in front of people."
• "He lives in Battambang, so he is used to the hot weather." (noun)

"get used to" — The Process of Becoming Familiar

We use "get used to" to talk about the process⁴ of something becoming normal. It is about adaptation⁵ to a new situation.

Structure: Subject + get (get, gets, got) + used to + noun / gerund

• "I just moved from the countryside. I am still getting used to the noise of the city." (present process)
• "It took her a few months, but she finally got used to living in a new country." (past process)

The Big Contrast: Three Different Meanings

Let's review all three structures. This is the most important part of the lesson!

1. used to + infinitive (Past Habit)
"I used to live in Phnom Penh." (I don't live there anymore.)

2. be used to + -ing/noun (Familiar State)
"I live in Battambang now. I am used to living here." (Living here is normal for me now.)

3. get used to + -ing/noun (Process of Adapting)
"When I first moved here, it took time to get used to the slower pace of life." (This was the process of adaptation.)

🧠 Practice Quiz: Choose the Correct Form

Choose the best option to complete each sentence.

1. When I was a child, I _______ play outside all day, but now I work in an office.
   Answer: used to (This describes a past habit that is no longer true.)
2. I have lived in Cambodia for five years, so I _______ the hot weather now.
   Answer: am used to (This describes a current state of familiarity.)
3. She just started a new job where she must wake up at 5 AM. It's difficult, but she is slowly _______ it.
   Answer: getting used to (This describes a process of adaptation happening now.)
4. It took me a while, but I finally _______ driving my moto in the busy city traffic.
   Answer: got used to (This describes a completed process of adaptation in the past.)

📝 Homework: Your Life Changes

Write true sentences about your own life using the target grammar.

1. Write about something new in your life that you are adapting to now. Use "get used to".
   (Example: I am getting used to my new schedule at work.)
   _________________________________________
2. Write about something that is normal for you now. Use "be used to".
   (Example: I am used to eating rice every day.)
   _________________________________________
3. Write about a past habit you don't have anymore. Use "used to".
   (Example: I used to watch cartoons when I was a child.)
   _________________________________________

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Familiarity: (Noun) - ការคุ้นเคย (kaa koun'koeuy) - A good knowledge of something, making you feel comfortable. ↩
2. Gerund: (Noun) - កិរិយានាម (kĕ'rĭ'yaa'néam) - A verb form which functions as a noun, ending in "-ing" (e.g., "I like swimming.") ↩
3. Accustomed to: (Adjective Phrase) - ស៊ាំទៅនឹង (soam tov nɨng) - To be familiar with something and accept it as normal. ↩
4. Process: (Noun) - ដំណើរការ (dâm'naeu'kaa) - A series of actions that you take in order to achieve a result. ↩
5. Adaptation: (Noun) - ការปรับខ្លួន (kaa prăp'kluən) - The process of changing to suit a new situation. ↩