EVERYTHING ABOUT THE STRUCTURE USED TO LEARN ENGLISH YOU ALSO NEED TO KNOW

1. Used to structure, meaning, and usage:

The used to structure is used to talk about a habit, state, or event that occurred in the past but has ended and is no longer true in the present. This structure often compares the past with the present.

Basic used to structure:

• (+) S + used to + V(inf - nguyên thể)
• (-) S + didn’t use to + V(inf - nguyên thể)
• (?) Did + S + use to + V(inf - nguyên thể)

Example: 

1. I used to go to school by bus, now I go by bike. Trước đây thì tôi đi xe bus tới trường, bây giờ thì tôi đi bằng xe máy.

→ The action of taking the bus was only in the past and is no longer happening now

1. John didn’t use to clean the house everyday when he lived alone. John thường không dọn nhà mỗi ngày khi mà anh ấy sống 1 mình.

→ Talking about John's past habit, he didn't usually clean the house every day.

1. Did he use to come home this late? Anh ấy có thường về nhà muộn như thế này không?

→ Asking about his habit of coming home late

*Note: 

- Without used to, to express current habits, use frequency adverbs like often, always, usually,...

2. To be used to structure, meaning, and usage:

To be used to structure refers to being accustomed to doing something or being familiar with something. Typically, using to be used to indicates that the action/event is no longer difficult for you because you have done it many times.

Basic to be used to structure:

• (+) S + be + used to + V_ing/N
• (-) S + be + not + used to + V_ing/N
• (?) Be + S + used to + V_ing/N

Ex:

1. She is used to getting to work earlier than her husband. Cô ấy đã quen với việc đi làm sớm hơn chồng mình
2. I’m not used to going to bed before 11pm. Tôi chưa quen với việc phải đi ngủ trước 11h tối
3. Are you used to going to the gym three times a week? Bạn đã quen với việc đi tập gym 3 lần 1 tuần chưa?

3. Get used to structure, meaning, and usage:

Similar to be used to, the get used to structure is used to indicate someone has become accustomed to doing something or being familiar with something. 

Basic to be used to structure:

• (+) S + get + used to + V_ing/N
• (-) S + trợ động từ (Aux) + not + used to + V_ing/N
• (?) Trợ động từ (Aux) + S +get + used to + V_ing/N

Ex:

1. I have gotten used to learning online during the Covid-19 pandemic. Tôi đã quen với việc học online trong thời điểm dịch Covid-19
2. You still didn’t get used to eating with fork, did you? Bạn vẫn chưa quen với việc ăn bằng nĩa phải không?
3. Did he get used to living abroad alone? Anh ấy đã quen với việc phải sống ở nước ngoài 1 mình chưa?

*Note:

- In this structure, 'get' is conjugated as a regular verb depending on the subject and tense of the sentence.

4. Exercises applying the structures used to, be used to, get used to.

Bài tập 1: Sử dụng cấu trúc used to V để hoàn thành các câu dưới đây.1. Diane doesn't travel much now. She used to travel a lot, but she prefers to stay at home these days.

2. Liz used to own a motorbike, but last year she sold it and bought a car.

3. We came to live in London a few years ago. We used to live in Leeds.

4. I rarely eat ice-cream now, but I used to love it when I was a child.

5. Jim used to be my best friend, but we aren't good friends any longer.

6. It only takes me about 40 minutes to get to work now that the new road is open. It used to take more than an hour.

7. There used to be a hotel near the airport, but it closed a long time ago.

8. When you lived in New York, did you used to go to the theater very often?

Đáp án:

2. used to have

3. used to live

4. used to eat

5. accustomed to being

6. accustomed to acquiring

7. formerly used to exist

8. accustomed to utilizing to proceed

Bài tập 2: Using used to or be/get used to to complete the following sentences correctly:

1. Diane (travel) a lot, but she prefers to stay home these days.
2. Liesel (have) a car, but last month she sold it and bought a bike instead.
3. I don’t often eat ice-cream now, but I (be) crazy about it when I was a child.
4. I am sorry but I (not drive) fast.
5. At first the employees didn’t like the new working shift, but now they ______ it.
6. I find it difficult to (drive) on the right when I come to Japan.
7. Getting up early is still a big problem for me. I (not) it.
8. Jamie has been in Vietnam for 3 years. He (eat) with chopsticks now.
9. Lisa has just gone to live in Berlin, she (live) there very quickly.
10. I (clean) the room by myself after moving out.

Giải đáp:

1 - accustomed to traveling 

2 - accustomed to possessing 

3 - accustomed to being

4 - I am not accustomed to driving 

5 - became accustomed to 

6 - becoming accustomed to driving 

7 - I am not accustomed to

8 - is accustomed to consuming

9 - became accustomed to residing

10 - am accustomed to cleaning

Exercise 3: Using the structure 'used to', 'be accustomed to', or 'become accustomed to' to complete the following sentences

1. European drivers find it challenging to _______________________ (drive) on the left when they visit Britain.

2. See that building there? I _______________________ (attend) school there, but now it's a factory.

3. I've only been at this company a couple of months. I _______________________ (still not) accustomed to how they do things around here.

4. When I first moved to this neighborhood, I _______________________ (reside) in a house. I had always lived in apartment buildings.

5. Working until 10pm isn't an issue. I _______________________ (end) late. I did it in my previous job too.

6. I can't believe they're planning to construct an airport just two miles from our new house! I will _______________________ (never) tolerate all that noise! What a nightmare.

7. His father _______________________ (consume) twenty cigars a day - now he doesn't smoke at all!

8. Whenever all my friends went to discos, I _______________________ (not join) them, but now I enjoy it.

9. I _______________________ (operate) as I have held my driving license for almost a year now.

10. When Max relocated to Italy, he _______________________ (adapt) there very swiftly. He's a very open-minded person.

Đáp án:

1: become accustomed to driving.

2: used to attending.

3: am still not accustomed to.

4: accustomed to residing.

5: am accustomed to completing.

6: never become accustomed to.

7: accustomed to consuming.

8: never accustomed to attending.

9: am accustomed to driving.

10: became accustomed to residing.