A.
Study this example situation:
Jane is
American but she has lived in Britain for three years. When she first drove a
car in Britain, she found it very difficult because she had to drive on the
left instead of on the right. Driving on the left was strange and difficult for
her because:
She
wasn't used to it.
She
wasn't used to driving on the left.
But
after a lot of practice, driving on the left became less strange. So:
She got
used to driving on the left.
Now
after three years, it's no problem for Jane:
She is
used to driving on the left.
I'm used
to something = it is not new or strange for me:
* Frank
lives alone. He doesn't mind this because he has lived alone for 15 years. It
is not strange for him. He is used to it. He is used to living alone.
* I
bought some new shoes. They felt a bit strange at first because I wasn't used
to them.
* Our
new flat is on a very busy street. I expect we'll get used to the noise, but at
the moment it's very disturbing.
* Diane
has a new job. She has to get up much earlier now than before - at 6.30. She
finds this difficult because she isn't used to getting up so early.
*
Brenda's husband is often away from home. She doesn't mind this. She is used to
him being away.
B.
After be/get used you cannot use the infinitive.(to do/to drive etc.). We say:
* She is
used to driving on the left. (not 'she is used to drive')
When we
say 'I am used to...', 'to' is a preposition, not a part of the infinitive (see
Unit 59C). So we say:
* Frank
is used to living alone. (not 'Frank is used to live')
* Jane
had to get used to driving on the left. (not 'get used to drive')
C. Do
not confuse I am used to doing (be/get used to) and I used to do. They are
different in structure and meaning.
I am
used to (doing) something = something isn't strange or new for me:
* I am
used to the weather in this country.
* I am
used to driving on the left because I've lived in Britain for a long time.
I used
to do something = I did something regularly in the past but no longer do it
(see Unit 18). You can use this structure only for the past, not for the
present. The structure is 'I used to do' (not 'I am used to do'):
* I used
to drive to work every day, but these days I usually go by bike.
* We
used to live in a small village, but now we live in London.
EXERCISES
60.1
Read the situations and complete the sentences. Use (be/get) used to as in the
example.
1. Jane
is American. She came to Britain and at first she found driving on the left
difficult.
When she
arrived in Britain, she _wasn't used to driving_ on the left, but she soon _got
used to_ it. Now she has no problems. She _is used to driving_ on the left.
2. Juan
is Spanish and came to live in England. In Spain he always had dinner late in
the evening, but in England dinner was at 6 o'clock. This was very early for
him. When Juan first came to England, he --- dinner so early, but after some
time he --- it. Now he finds it quite normal. He --- at six o'clock.
3. Julia
is a nurse. A year ago she started working nights. At first she found it hard.
At first Julia didn't like it. She --- nights and it took her a few months to ---
it. Now, after a year, she's quite happy. She --- nights.
60.2
What do you say in these situations? Use I'm (not) used to... .
1. You
live alone. You don't mind this. You have always lived alone.
FRIEND:
Do you get a bit lonely sometimes? You: No, I'm used to living alone.
2. You
steep on the floor. You don't mind this. You have always slept on the floor.
FRIEND:
Wouldn't you prefer to sleep in a bed? You: No, I ---
3. You
have to work hard. This is not a problem for you. You have always worked hard.
FRIEND:
You have to work very hard in your job, don't you? YOU: Yes, but I don't mind
that. I ---
4. You
normally go to bed early. Last night you went to bed very late (for you) and as
a result you are very tired this morning.
FRIEND:
You look tired this morning. YOU: Yes, ---
60.3
Read the situation and complete the sentences using used to.
1. Some
friends of yours have just moved into a flat on a busy street. It is very
noisy.
They'll
have to _get used to the noise._
2. Jack
once went to the Middle East. It was very difficult for him at first because of
the heat.
He
wasn't ---
3. Sue
moved from a big house to a much smaller one. She found it strange at first.
She had
to --- in a much smaller house.
4. The
children at school had a new teacher. She was different from the teacher before
her but this wasn't a problem for the children. The children soon ---
5.
Somebody from Britain is thinking of going to live in your country. Warn
him/her!
You
would have to ---
60.4
(Section Q Complete the sentences using only one word each time.
1. Jane
had to get used to driving on the left.
2. We
used to live in a small village but now we live in London.
3. Tom
used to --- a lot of coffee. Now he prefers tea.
4. I feet
very full after that meal. I'm not used to --- so much.
5. I
wouldn't like to share an office. I'm used to --- my own office.
6. I
used to --- a car but I sold it a few months ago.
7. When
we were children, we used to --- swimming every day.
8. There
used to --- a cinema here but it was knocked down a few years ago.
9. I'm
the boss here! I'm not used to --- told what to do.
Answer
60.1
2 he
wasn't used to having dinner so early, but after some time he got used to it.
... He is used to having dinner at six o'clock. (or He is used to eating at six
o'clock.)
3 She
wasn't used to working nights ... to get used to it ... She is used to working
nights.
60.2
2 No,
I'm used to sleeping on the floor.
3 I'm
used to working hard./I'm used to hard work.
4 I'm
not used to going to bed (so) late.
60.3
2 He
wasn't used to the heat/... to the hot weather/... to living in a hot climate.
3 She
had to get used to living
4 The
children soon got used to her./... to their new teacher.
5
(example answers) You would have to get used to the weather to the food/to
speaking a foreign language.
60.4
3
drink 4 eating
5
having 6 have
7
go 8 be
9 being
