Get used to
Subject + get used to + noun phrase
'get used to' is a phrasal verb. That means we can use all the different tenses we know. The main verb 'get' is conjugated.
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Subject + got used to + noun phrase
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Subject + verb 'be' + getting used to + noun phrase
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Subject + have / has + got used to + noun phrase
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Subject + had + got used to + noun phrase
Taylor's Story
This is Taylor. Taylor lives in London. She eats using a knife and fork. She's a solicitor and works in an office. She cycles to work.
In two weeks Taylor will move to Tokyo.
Taylor has lived in Tokyo for one week. Now she eats using chopsticks. It is difficult.
Taylor is getting used to living in Tokyo.
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Taylor is getting used to using chopsticks.
Taylor has now lived in Tokyo for two weeks. She is comfortable in Tokyo. Chopsticks are still difficult to use. She just got a job as a teacher.
Taylor has got used to living in Tokyo.
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Taylor is getting used to using chopsticks.
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Taylor is getting used to being a teacher.
Taylor has now lived in Tokyo for a month. She is comfortable in Tokyo. Chopsticks are still difficult to use. She is happy and confident as a teacher. She now gets the train to work.
Taylor has got used to living in Tokyo.
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Taylor is still getting used to using chopsticks.
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Taylor has got used to being a teacher.
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Taylor is getting used to getting the train to work.
Taylor moved back to London. She tells her friends about Tokyo.
"I loved Tokyo! I got used to the city very quickly. Being a teacher was difficult to get used to but I did it. I had got use to the train but now need to get used riding a bike again. However, I didn't get used to using chopsticks. They were so hard!"
Summary
I am not used to it.
I am getting used to it.
I have got used to it.
I got used to it.
Start something new
Time
When to use 'get used to'
Use 'get used to' when:
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The subject starts something new
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It is difficult or unusual
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After time, the something new can become easy (I got used to) or it can still be difficult / strange (I did not get used to).
'have got used to' or 'got used to'
'have got used to' = present perfect
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We use this when the new activity is still 'new'. Maybe not much time has passed between starting and now, or maybe the activity is very difficult.
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Using the present perfect tense means that there is an effect on the present. If you use the present perfect you are saying the new activity is still effecting the present.
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'got used to' = past tense
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Whereas, 'got used to', is the past tense, meaning that the verb of 'get used to' has finished and the subject has finished 'getting used to it'. The verb is no longer effecting the present.
Examples
Start something new
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Working at night
I am not used to working at night.
I am getting used to working at night.
I have got used to working at night.
I got used to working at night.
Working at night
Time
Start something new
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Using a new computer programme
I am not used to using a new computer programme.
I am getting used to using a new computer programme.
I have got used to using a new computer programme.
I got used to using a new computer programme.
Using a new computer programme
Time
Start something new
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Going to the gym early every morning
I am not used to going to the gym early every morning.
I am not getting used to going to the gym early every morning.
I have not got used to going to the gym early every morning.
I did not get used to going to the gym early every morning.
Going to the gym early every morning.
Time
Cooking
Vocabulary
Verbs
Example
I am getting used to chopping onions.
Chopping onions
Time
Practice
Answer
I got used to frying doughnuts.
Frying doughnuts
Time
Answer
I am not used to whisking egg whites.
Whisking egg whites
Time
Answer
I have got use to slicing bread.
Slicing bread
Time
Answer - We
We are getting used to cooking.
Cooking
Time
Answer - He
He did not get used to chopping vegetables.
Chopping vegetables
Time
Answer
I have not got use to slicing bread.
Slicing bread
Time
Reading
I'm not very good at cooking and when I saw this advert on the internet I decided now was the time to learn. It sounds good and I'd love to be able to cook a curry for my family.
INDIAN COOKING COURSE
5 ONE-HOUR LESSONS
WEDNESDAY EVENINGS
CHARING CROSS ROAD, LONDON
PROFESSIONAL CHEF TEACHING
Learn basic knife skills and how to cook a range of dishes.
Lesson 1
I had a great time in my first lesson. It's a beginner course so we got used to holding the knife correctly. We started to learn how to chop onions correctly and easily. I have to practice at home to get used to it. We also smelt the spices to get used to their flavour.
Lesson 2
In today's lesson we showed that we'd got used to the knives by preparing all the ingredients for a curry our teacher would make. My task was to chop the ginger and coriander. All the students had got used to preparing ingredients so next week we will make a starter.
Lesson 3
The starter we made was chicken tikka. It's a spicy dish but delicious. At the beginning I wasn't used to holding raw chicken but I'm getting used to it now. We cut the chicken into strips, added the spices, which I'm also getting used to, and fried it in oil. The teacher said mine was very good but I needed to add more salt.
Lesson 4
We learnt how to make lamb passanda today. Apparently it is a famous Indian dish. We cut the lamb into cubes and added the spices. I've got used to which spices work well together. Then we chopped the onion, garlic and ginger. I got used to the knife skills needed and so it was easy for me. My friend is still getting used to chopping things so it took him longer. We fried the ingredients and then added the lamb, yogurt and water. It then cooked while the teacher showed us how to make the best rice. When the curry was ready, we chopped coriander to put on top when we served it. Everyone's was delicious.
Lesson 5
Today was a long lesson. We had the recipes for the starter, chicken tikka, and the main, lamb passanda, and cooked both. Our teacher was to help but we needed to get used to doing it all independently. I was used to everything - knife skills, chopping, spices and raw meat. I needed to get used to cooking by myself. The teacher said my dishes were delicious. I can't wait to cook them for my family.