Used to in English with Example Sentences

“Used to” can be used as a Verb as well as an Adjective in sentences. It should be noted that “used to” is not same as the action verb “use” which means “employ something / someone”

Used to as an Auxiliary Verb

“Used (to)”is an auxiliary verb in English. It is a Past Tense verb form we can use to talk about a past routine, a discontinued habit or a past situation.

When “used to” functions as a verb in our sentence, it is followed by the base form of another verb as follows. “To” here is for Infinitive to.

Talking about Discontinued Habits:

• I used to play the violin every day when I was a little girl but I haven’t played it for a while.
• I used to dislike cakes but I eat a lot of cakes now.
• I used to skip classes when I was in school but now I never skip a lesson at the university.

Talking about a Past Routine:

1. My father used to take me to school by his car. He used to stand at the gate until I take my turn to enter the corridor leading to my classroom.
2. I used to go to parties every weekend and spend a quite a lot of time with my friends when I was in London. I used to buy them food and drinks as much as they wanted.
3. She used to travel a lot when she was young. She used to take the train when possible and reached her travel destinations. She used to walk long ways when it was necessary.

Talking about Past Situations:

1. This giant building is now a jail. It used to be a palace in the ancient times.
2. He used to be a genuine person but no one can trust him anymore.
3. He used to have an innocent face when he was little but he looks fierce now.
4. He used to be a sailor. He has quit it and works as a farmer now.
5. There used to be two bus turns a day but there is only one available now.

Used to as an Adjective.

When we use “Used to” as an adjective, it means “Accustomed to”. This usage is possible with any Tense.

There are three patterns we can follow to generate this idea. Each time, the adjective “used to” is placed after a verb. It can either be a “be verb”, “get”, or “become”. “Used to” is usually followed by a noun, pronoun or a Gerund.

Be used to – example sentences

1. I am used to rural livelihood.
2. They were used to working with the foreigners.
3. I was used to a glass of fresh coconut water after lunch.

Get used to – Example Sentences

1. I will get used to the lifestyle here.
2. You will get used to the sophisticated machinery here.
3. You will get used to working with the authoritative supervisors here.
4. I’ve already got used to the culture here.

Become used to – Example Sentences

1. I’ve become used to the lifestyle here.
2. You will soon become used to the serene environment here.
3. I’ve become used to the sheer loneliness in my life.

Difference in idea when “Used to” functions as a verb and as an Adjective.

Used to – as a Verb

Used to – as an Adjective

Basically the structure of the two sentences differs from each other. When “used” is used as a verb, it is followed by “infinitive to” and talks about past routines or past situations. When it is used as an adjective, it is preceded by a “be verb / get / become” and followed by “to” as a preposition along with a noun, pronoun or a gerund.