The Core Difference: State vs. Process
* Be Used/Accustomed To: Describes a state of familiarity. It means the situation is normal, not strange or new to you. You are already familiar with it.
* Get Used/Accustomed To: Describes the process of becoming familiar. It focuses on the change from something being strange or difficult to it becoming normal.
Be Used To and Be Accustomed To
Use these phrases to say that you are familiar with something and it is normal for you. "Be accustomed to" is generally more formal than "be used to."
Grammatical Structure:
Subject + be (am, is, are, was, were) + used/accustomed to + noun/pronoun/gerund (-ing verb)
Key Points:
* The verb 'be' can be in any tense (present, past, etc.).
* It is always followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form), not an infinitive (to do).
Examples:
* As a nurse, I am used to working long hours.
* Meaning: Working long hours is a normal part of my life. It doesn't feel strange.
* He is accustomed to the cold weather in Canada.
* Meaning (formal): The cold weather is familiar to him.
* When I lived in Tokyo, I was used to the crowded subways.
* Meaning: In the past, the crowded subways were a normal experience for me.
* They aren't used to the spicy food yet.
* Meaning: The spicy food is still strange or new to them.
Get Used To and Get Accustomed To
Use these phrases to talk about the process of something becoming normal. It highlights the adaptation or adjustment period. "Get accustomed to" is the more formal option.
Grammatical Structure:
Subject + get (get, gets, got, is getting) + used/accustomed to + noun/pronoun/gerund (-ing verb)
Key Points:
* The verb 'get' can be in any tense, and is often used in continuous forms (is getting) to emphasize the ongoing process.
* Like the 'be' form, it is followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form).
Examples:
* I have just moved to London. I am getting used to driving on the left.
* Meaning: I am in the process of adapting to driving on the left; it's still new.
* It took him a while to get used to his new boss.
* Meaning: He went through a period of adjustment to understand his new boss.
* New employees must get accustomed to the company's software.
* Meaning (formal): It is necessary for them to learn and adapt to the software.
* Don't worry, you will get used to it!
* Meaning: Over time, this new situation will become normal for you.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Let's look at the same situation from both perspectives:
| Be Used To (The State) | Get Used To (The Process) |
|---|---|
| I have lived in Türkiye for ten years, so I am used to the heat in summer. | When I first moved to Türkiye, it was hard, but I eventually got used to the heat. |
| The heat is normal for me now. | I went through a process of the heat becoming normal. |
| She is accustomed to public speaking because of her job. | It was scary at first, but she is getting accustomed to public speaking. |
| Public speaking is a familiar state for her. | She is in the process of becoming comfortable with it. |
A Quick Warning: Don't Confuse with used to + infinitive
Be careful not to mix these structures up with the phrase used to + infinitive, which refers to a past habit or state that is no longer true.
* Past Habit: I used to play tennis every weekend. (But now I don't).
* Familiarity: I am used to playing tennis in hot weather. (I am familiar with this condition).
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