Used To, Would and Be Used To

These three look alike and mean quite different things. Sorting them out is a classic B1 milestone.

used to + verb — a past habit that stopped

I used to smoke, but I gave up ten years ago. We used to live in Prague.

The key idea: it was true then, and it is not true now. The contrast with the present is the whole point.

Negative and question drop the -d:

I didn't use to like olives. Did you use to play an instrument?

would + verb — a repeated past action

Every summer we would drive to the coast. My grandfather would sit on the porch for hours.

Would works for repeated actions, not for states. This is the dividing line:

✅ We used to have a dog. / ❌ We would have a dog. ✅ She used to be shy. / ❌ She would be shy.

For states — have, be, know, live, believe — only used to works. For actions, either does, and would sounds slightly more literary.

be used to + noun / -ing — accustomed

This one is a different structure entirely, and it is about the present.

I am used to the noise now. She is used to working nights.

Note the -ing: used to here is followed by a noun or gerund, never a bare verb.

❌ I am used to work nights. ✅ I am used to working nights.

get used to — becoming accustomed

It took a month, but I got used to the early starts. You'll get used to it.

Be used to is the state; get used to is the process of reaching it.

The three side by side

I used to drive to work. (past habit, now stopped) I would drive to work every Monday. (repeated past action) I am used to driving to work. (I find it normal, now)

Test yourself

The quiz below asks you to pick between all three.