Use It, Used It, Get Used To It: English Made Easy

The ‘Use’ Guide

Have you ever found yourself confused about when to use "use," "used," "I am used to," "get/got used to," or "I used to"? 

You're not alone! Many English learners feel the same way because these form variations look and sound similar but have different meanings. The good news is that by reading on, you will learn simple explanations and see examples that will help you understand these phrases clearly. Soon, you'll feel more confident using them in your speaking and writing. Let's get straight to the point and make these tricky expressions easier for you!
 

I use  (the most basic and obvious use)

• When: You say this when you regularly do something with a tool, object, or thing. You need to mention what you are using.
  
  How: Use the base verb "use" + an object (the tool or thing you are using).
  
  Example: I use a computer to work. / I use a pen to write.

Tip: Remember, when you say "I use," you always talk about using something (a thing or tool), so the object is necessary to complete your sentence.

I used  (the same, just in past tense)

• When: You say this when talking about something you did in the past using a tool or object, often with a specific time mentioned. You need to mention what you used (the object).
  
  How: Use "used" (past tense of "use") + an object (the thing or tool you used).
  
  Example: Yesterday, I used my computer to finish my work. / Last week, I used a knife to cut the cake.

Tip: Remember, "I used" talks about a completed action in the past with something. Always include the object, because you cannot just say "I used" alone.

I used to  (talking about old times, but only regular habits (nothing to do with 'using' an object)

• When: To talk about past habits or situations that no longer happen or are no longer true.
  
  How: "Used to" + base verb.
  
  Example: I used to play football, but now I don’t. / My mum used to bake a cake every Christmas when I was a child.

Tip: Remember: “I used to” shows something from the past that changed. Think of it as “I did before, but not now.”

I am used to  (=I'm fine with it now)

• When: To say you are familiar or comfortable with something now.
  
  How: "Am/is/are" + used to + verb (ending in -ing) or a noun.
  
  Example: I am used to waking up early. / I am used to the cold weather now.

Tip: Think of this as "I’m okay with it now." Use 'am/is/are' before 'used to'. Notice the -ing (verb) or a noun that follows —this means it’s fine, it's my normal state or habit and not strange to me.

I got used to (I'm fine with it now, after an adaptation process/period)

• When: To talk about the process of becoming familiar or comfortable with something.
  
  How: "Got used to" +  verb ending in -ing or a noun  .
  
  Example: I got used to living in a new city after a month. / By now, I got used to the routine at work.

Tip: Think of “got used to” as the journey from not comfortable to comfortable. It’s about change over time.

A little extra:

Both "got used to" and "am/is/are used to" can sometimes be applied to similar ideas but "got used to" always emphasizes the change process, whereas "am/is/are used to" simply states the current condition.

In response to a question like "Is it not hard for you to wake up so early?" either of these versions is appropriate, depending on the meaning you want to convey:

If you want to say that waking up early is currently comfortable and normal for you, you say:
"No, I am used to waking up early."

If you want to highlight that waking up early was difficult at first but became easier over time, you say:
"No, I got used to waking up early."

Both communicate that waking early is no longer a problem, but "got used to" emphasizes the adjustment process, while "am used to" focuses on the current situation.

So, the outcome—comfort with waking early—is the same, but the nuance differs slightly depending on which form you use.

Now, you can test your understanding!
 

Choose the right form ("use," "used," "used to," "am used to," or "got used to") for the sentences:

Every morning, I __________ my phone to check messages.

Yesterday, I __________ a new app to help me learn English.

When I was a child, I __________ play outside after school.

Now, I __________ getting up early for work; it feels normal.

It took time, but I __________ living in a big city.

Check:

Every morning, I use my phone to check messages.

Yesterday, I used a new app to help me learn English.

When I was a child, I used to play outside after school.

Now, I am used to getting up early for work; it feels normal.

It took time, but I got used to living in a big city.

Can you tackle these?
 

I __________ a bike to get to school every day.

When I was younger, I __________ eat vegetables, but now I don't like them.

At first, I didn’t like spicy food, but now I __________ it.

She had to  __________ wake up early because of her new job.

We __________ visit our grandparents every summer when we were kids.

He __________ a computer for work last year.

They __________ living in the countryside, but they moved to the city last month.

I __________ the noise in my new apartment after a few weeks.

Before I had a smartphone, I __________ use a regular phone to call friends.

They  __________ a map to find their way out of the forest.

Don't worry, you'll  __________  it quickly!

They __________ speaking English every day at work because they have been doing it for years .

Check your answers:

I use a bike to get to school every day.

When I was younger, I used to eat vegetables, but now I don't like them.

At first, I didn’t like spicy food, but now I am used to it.

She had to get used to waking up early because of her new job.

We used to visit our grandparents every summer when we were kids.

He used a computer for work last year.

They got used to living in the countryside, but they moved to the city last month.

I got used to the noise in my new apartment after a few weeks.

Before I had a smartphone, I used to use a regular phone to call friends.

They used a map to find their way out of the forest.

Don't worry, you'll get used to it quickly!

They are used to speaking English every day at work because they have been doing it for years .

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