Past Habits & Adaptation

• We use 'used to' and 'would' for past routines. We use 'be used to' and 'get used to' to talk about familiarity and adaptation.
• Structure
• Use
• Example
• used to + verb
• Past states and habits
• We used to send faxes in Boston.
• would + verb
• Repeated past actions
• Mark would check the filing system daily.
• be used to + -ing
• Current familiarity
• I am used to using digital tools.
• get + used to + -ing
• The process of adapting
• She is getting used to working remotely.
• Remember
• Use 'used to' for both past states and past habits.
• Use 'would' only for repeated past actions, not for past states.
• Follow 'be used to' and 'get used to' with a noun or a verb with -ing.
• Make questions and negatives with 'did' for 'used to'.
• Examples
• Arthur used to manage the Chicago office.
• We would meet clients for a handshake deal back in the day.
• Are you used to the new filing system?
• Our team quickly got used to the new software.
• Common mistakes
• I am use to working long hours.
• I am used to working long hours.
• We would be in London last year.
• We used to be in London last year.

Complete the sentences

• When I worked in Seattle, we (use) ____ keep all invoices on paper.
• Back in the day, managers (would) ____ check every report by hand.
• Are you (be used to) ____ using the new digital tools yet?
• It took months to (get used to) ____ the new management style in Bristol.
• She didn't (use) ____ like the modern office layout in Manchester.
• They are rapidly (get) ____ the updated software.

Sources: photo by Tirachard Kumtanom on Pexels