Used to vs. Be/Get used to – English Grammar Exercises for B2
Read this conversation between two freshman college roommates. One of them has recently moved from a quiet rural countryside to a bustling city. Choose the best option (A, B, C, or D) to complete each sentence. Pay close attention to whether the sentence describes a past habit that no longer exists, a current state of being accustomed to something, or the active process of adapting to a new environment.
1 “Back in my hometown, I ______ up to the sound of roosters every morning, not the sound of honking traffic.”
(A) was used to wake
(B) used to wake
(C) am used to waking
(D) got used to waking
2 “It’s been a whole month since I moved into this dorm, but I still ______ the constant sound of sirens outside our window.”
(A) didn’t use to
(B) am not used to
(C) don’t get used to
(D) used not to
3 “My eyes are burning right now. I am slowly ______ all the bright neon lights shining into the room at night.”
(A) used to
(B) becoming used with
(C) getting used to
(D) getting use to
4 “The air quality here is terrible. In my village, we ______ breathe fresh, crisp air every single day.”
(A) were used to
(B) used to
(C) use to
(D) had used to
5 “Because the campus is so large, I have to ______ public transport during rush hour, which is terrifying.”
(A) use to take
(B) be used to taking
(C) get used to take
(D) get used to taking
6 “I ______ walk everywhere because my village was incredibly small, but here I absolutely need a subway pass.”
(A) am used to
(B) was used to walking
(C) used to
(D) use to
7 “Tell me, ______ the stars clearly at night before you moved to this smoggy city?”
(A) Did you use to see
(B) Were you used to seeing
(C) Did you used to see
(D) Do you use to see
8 “I ______ lock my front door back home, but here in the dorms, it is the very first thing I do when I come inside.”
(A) didn’t used to
(B) wasn’t used to
(C) didn’t use to
(D) am not used to
9 “Honestly, living in a shared room is a bit tough for me because I ______ sharing my personal space with anyone else.”
(A) am not used to
(B) didn’t use to
(C) don’t used to
(D) am not used for
10 “Don’t worry too much! Give it another month, and I promise you ______ the chaotic, fast-paced lifestyle of the city.”
(A) will be used with
(B) will get used to
(C) used to
(D) will used to
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B)
Explanation:
- Why it’s correct (The Key): “Used to + V” (used to wake) describes a past habit or routine in the countryside that is no longer true in the city.
- Error Analysis: (C) am used to waking is the Common Mistake, incorrectly applying a present adaptation to a past memory. (A) was used to wake is a Structural Error (needs V-ing after ‘be used to’). (D) got used to waking is a Meaning Trap; while grammatically fine, it describes the process of adapting, not the simple nostalgic fact of a past routine.
2 (B)
Explanation:
- Why it’s correct (The Key): “Am not used to + Noun” describes the current state of not being accustomed or acclimatized to something (the sirens).
- Error Analysis: (A) didn’t use to is the Common Mistake, confusing a past habit with a present lack of adaptation. (C) don’t get used to is a Structural/Tense Error; we don’t use the present simple negative for an ongoing lack of adaptation here. (D) used not to is a Meaning Trap (it means “I had a past habit of not doing something”).
3 (C)
Explanation:
- Why it’s correct (The Key): “Getting used to + Noun” implies the active, ongoing process of adapting to a new and difficult situation (the neon lights).
- Error Analysis: (A) used to is the Common Mistake, confusing the past habit with the present continuous process. (D) getting use to is a Structural Error (missing the ‘d’). (B) becoming used with is a Structural/Collocation Trap (the correct preposition is ‘to’, not ‘with’).
4 (B)
Explanation:
- Why it’s correct (The Key): “Used to + V” correctly states a past fact or regular occurrence (breathing fresh air) that has now changed.
- Error Analysis: (A) were used to is the Common Mistake/Meaning Trap; “we were used to breathing” means “we were accustomed to it,” which loses the nostalgic contrast of “we did this in the past, but not anymore.” (C) use to is a Structural Error (missing ‘d’ in a positive sentence). (D) had used to is a tense trap (past perfect is invalid here).
5 (D)
Explanation:
- Why it’s correct (The Key): After “have to”, we need the base verb “get”. “Get used to” (the process of adapting) must be followed by a Gerund (V-ing), making “get used to taking” correct.
- Error Analysis: (B) be used to taking is a Meaning Trap; “be used to” means the adaptation is already complete, but the speaker says “I have to…” implying they still need to go through the process (“get”). (C) get used to take is a Structural Error (needs V-ing). (A) use to take is the Common Mistake.
6 (C)
Explanation:
- Why it’s correct (The Key): “Used to + V” simply states a past habit (walking everywhere) that directly contrasts with the present reality (needing a bus pass).
- Error Analysis: (A) am used to is the Common Mistake, confusing the past habit with a present state. (B) was used to walking is a Meaning Trap; it means “walking wasn’t strange to me back then,” which doesn’t create the strong “past vs. present” contrast needed here. (D) use to is a Structural Error.
7 (A)
Explanation:
- Why it’s correct (The Key): In the interrogative form (questions) for a past habit, we use “Did + subject + use to + V”.
- Error Analysis: (C) Did you used to see is the Common Mistake/Structural Error; after the auxiliary “Did”, the main verb must be in its base form (use), without the ‘d’. (B) Were you used to seeing is a Meaning Trap (asks about their adaptation, not the factual occurrence of seeing stars). (D) Do you use to see is a Tense Error.
8 (C)
Explanation:
- Why it’s correct (The Key): The negative form for a past habit is “didn’t use to + V”. It establishes that the action of locking the door was not a habit in the past.
- Error Analysis: (A) didn’t used to is the Common Mistake/Structural Error (double past tense; ‘didn’t’ already carries the past, so ‘use’ drops the ‘d’). (B) wasn’t used to is a Meaning Trap (means “I wasn’t familiar with locking doors”). (D) am not used to is a Tense Trap (does not match the past context “back home”).
9 (A)
Explanation:
- Why it’s correct (The Key): “Am not used to + V-ing” expresses that the speaker is currently not accustomed to the situation (sharing space), which is why it feels tough right now.
- Error Analysis: (B) didn’t use to is the Common Mistake, misapplying a past habit structure to a present state of discomfort. (C) don’t used to is a severe Structural Error. (D) am not used for uses the wrong preposition (must be ‘to’).
10 (B)
Explanation:
- Why it’s correct (The Key): “Will get used to” correctly predicts that the process of adaptation will be completed in the future.
- Error Analysis: (D) will used to is the Common Mistake/Structural Error (mixing a future auxiliary with a past verb form). (A) will be used with is a Collocation Error (wrong preposition). (C) used to is a Tense Trap (cannot be used for future predictions).
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
At the B2 level, confusing these three structures is the most common pitfall for English learners. Remember this simple breakdown:
1 The Past Habit: Used to + V (Base verb)
- Function: Describes an action or state that was true in the past but is no longer true today. It has nothing to do with “adapting.”
- Example: I used to sleep in total silence. (I did this in the past; I don’t do it now).
- Watch out: In questions and negatives, drop the ‘d’: Did you use to…? / I didn’t use to…
2 The Current State: Be used to + V-ing / Noun
- Function: Describes something that is normal, familiar, or comfortable for you right now. The shock or difficulty is gone.
- Example: I am used to the city noise. (It doesn’t bother me anymore; it’s normal).
3 The Process of Adapting: Get used to + V-ing / Noun
- Function: Describes the transition or process of something becoming normal. You use this when someone is currently struggling or slowly adapting to a new environment.
- Example: I am getting used to sharing a room. (It is still a bit weird, but I am currently in the process of adapting).