Used to Do vs Used to Doing: What’s the Difference?

Learning English as an Additional Language (EAL) involves navigating through various nuances and subtleties in grammar. One common area where learners often find confusion is in distinguishing between the expressions “used to do vs used to doing.” In this article, we’ll break down the differences between these two structures and provide examples to help EFL students grasp their usage.

Used to Do vs Used to Doing: Understanding the Differences

1. Used to Do Something

Definition: The structure “used to do something” refers to actions or habits that were regular or common in the past but are no longer true or frequent in the present.

Examples:

1. I used to live in the city, but now I live in the countryside.
2. She used to play the piano when she was a child.
3. They used to go to the beach every summer.

2. Be Used to Doing Something

Definition: “Be used to doing something” indicates familiarity or adaptation to a particular action or situation. It suggests that the person has become accustomed to or comfortable with the mentioned activity.

Examples:

1. I am used to waking up early for work.
2. She is used to speaking in public after years of experience.
3. We are used to driving on the left side of the road.

Key Differences:

1. Temporal Aspect:

• “Used to do something” refers to a past habit or action that is no longer true.
• “Be used to doing something” emphasizes the present state of being accustomed to a particular activity.

2. Action vs. State:

• “Used to do something” describes a past action or habit.
• “Be used to doing something” portrays a present state of familiarity or comfort with an activity.

Examples to Reinforce Understanding:

Used to Do Something:

1. My grandfather used to smoke, but he quit years ago.
2. We used to have a cat, but now we have a dog.
3. She used to work as a teacher before she became a writer.
4. The kids used to play in the park every weekend.
5. He used to eat fast food regularly, but now he prefers a healthier diet.
6. Maria used to wear glasses, but she had laser eye surgery.

Be Used to Doing Something:

1. Sarah is used to studying late at night.
2. They are used to the cold weather because they come from a northern country.
3. I am used to taking the bus to work every day.
4. The athlete is used to training for hours each day.
5. We are used to dealing with challenging situations in our job.
6. He is used to speaking multiple languages in his international business.

Used to Do vs Used to Doing: Conclusion

In summary, understanding the difference between “used to do something” and “be used to doing something” is crucial for effective communication in English. “Used to do something” reflects past habits, while “be used to doing something” highlights the present state of adaptation or familiarity. By practicing with various examples, EAL students can enhance their grasp of these structures and use them confidently in their language journey.