Getting used to using used to

The different forms of "used to" can be confusing. They can cover the past or now or a change.

Let’s look at some common patterns.

To talk about an old habit that you no longer do:
I used to go to the gym every day when I was a student.
When I was a student I used to go to the gym every day.
To talk about a change in preference:
I used to hate going to the gym but now I really like it.
I never used to go to the gym but now I go twice a week.
To talk about a current habit in the positive and negative:
I’m used to going to the gym twice a week.
I’m not used to going to the gym.
To talk about a developing habit or one you’ve made:
I’m getting used to going to the gym twice a week.
I’ve got used to going to the gym twice a week.
To talk about a habit that you can’t develop:
I can’t get used to going to the gym.
I’ll never get used to going to the gym.

Get used to using used to by making sentences – like the ones above – that are personal and so easy for you to remember.

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Check out other common confusions here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

What English expressions are you confused about? Ask me.