Used To Do / Would Do / Be Used To Doing
'Used to + infinitive':
We use this expression to talk about habits or repeated actions in the past which we don't do in the present. We also use it to talk about states in the past which are no longer true. For example:
- I used to have long hair (but now I have short hair).
- He used to smoke (but now he doesn't smoke).
- They used to live in India (but now they live in Germany).
- Did you use to be a teacher?
- Did he use to study French?
- She didn't use to like chocolate, but she does now.
- I didn't use to want to have a nice house.
Try an exercise about 'used to + infinitive' here.
'Would + infinitive'
We can also use 'would + infinitive' to talk about a habit or repeated action in the past. We usually use 'would + infinitive' in this way when we're telling a story about the past. So, we can say:
- When I was a student, we would often have a drink after class on a Friday.
- When I lived in Italy, we would go to a little restaurant near our house.
I would have long hair.I would live in Scotland.
Try an exercise about 'used to' and 'would' here.
'Be used to':
We use 'be used to + verb-ing' to talk about things which feel normal for us or things that we are accustomed to:
- I'm used to getting up early, so I don't mind doing it (= getting up early is normal for me, it's what I usually do).
- My little daughter is used to eating lunch at noon. So she was grumpy yesterday when we didn't eat until one.
- Lucy isn't used to staying up late, so she's very tired today.
- Are your children used to walking a lot?
- I've lived in the UK almost all my life, so I'm used to rain (= rain is normal for me).
- That football team always lose, so they're used to disappointment!
- It was difficult when I first started university, because I wasn't used to the amount of work we had to do.
- Soon I'll be used to driving in London and I won't be so frightened!
- Don't worry if your new job is hard at first. You'll get used to it.
- It took me a while, but I got used to speaking another language every day.
- It took me a few months to get used to living in Japan. At first everything seemed very different, but then gradually it became normal for me.
Try an exercise about 'be used to' here.
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