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Getting Used to Change

Practice talking about habits, routines, and changes in your life using get used to, be used to, used to do, and would. You’ll compare meanings, spot common mistakes, and use the grammar in a dialogue, a short story, and your own writing.

B2 Upper intermediate60 minutesEnglishTeacher

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1. Vocabulary

  • sleep soundly
    sleep deeply and peacefully through the night
  • crash out
    fall asleep very quickly, usually because you are tired
  • keep me awake
    prevent me from sleeping
  • be fast asleep
    be sleeping deeply
  • unconsciously
    without being aware of it; not consciously
  • get used to something
    become familiar with a new situation, routine, or condition
  • be used to something
    be familiar and comfortable with something
  • used to do something
    did something regularly in the past, but not anymore
  • would do something
    used for repeated past actions or typical past behaviour
  • adjust to something
    adapt to a new situation or change
  • a routine
    a fixed pattern of daily activities
  • a shift pattern
    a work schedule with changing hours
  • noisy surroundings
    a place with a lot of sound or activity
  • settle in
    become comfortable in a new place or role

Teacher note: Vocabulary set for the lesson on habits, routines, and adjustment, including the requested sleep-related phrases.

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2. Grammar

Overview

These four structures all talk about habits, routines, and change, but they are not interchangeable.

  • get used to + noun / -ing = become familiar with something new
  • be used to + noun / -ing = be familiar and comfortable with something
  • used to + base verb = past habit or repeated state that is no longer true
  • would + base verb = repeated past action or habit, usually in a story or description of the past

The key idea is time and comfort:

  • get used to = the process of becoming comfortable
  • be used to = the result: comfort/familiarity
  • used to and would = past habits, but not current ones

Form

1) get used to / be used to

After to, use a noun, pronoun, or verb + -ing.

  • I’m getting used to the new software.
  • She is used to working late.
  • Are you used to this climate?

2) used to

Use used to + base verb for actions or situations in the past that are no longer true.

  • I used to live near the station.
  • He used to cycle to work every day.

3) would

Use would + base verb to describe repeated actions in the past, especially when telling a story.

  • Every summer, we would stay with my grandparents.
  • My father would read to me before bed.

Side-by-side comparison

StructureMeaningFormExample
get used tobecome comfortableget used to + noun/-ingI’m getting used to the commute.
be used toalready comfortablebe used to + noun/-ingShe is used to the noise.
used topast habit/state, now finishedused to + base verbWe used to eat out on Fridays.
wouldrepeated past actionwould + base verbWe would eat out on Fridays.

Examples

  • I got used to the early meetings after a few weeks.
  • He is used to speaking in public.
  • They used to share an apartment in London.
  • When I was a child, I would spend hours in the garden.
  • After moving abroad, she quickly got used to the local food.
  • I’m still not used to driving on the left.

Common mistakes

  • ✕
    I am used to drive at night.
    • ✓
      I am used to driving at night.
  • ✕
    I used to work here now.
    • ✓
      I used to work here, but I don’t anymore.
  • ✕
    He would to call me every Sunday.
    • ✓
      He would call me every Sunday.
  • ✕
    She is getting used to live alone.
    • ✓
      She is getting used to living alone.

Important note

Used to and would can both describe repeated past actions, but would is usually better for a narrative or a memory. It is not normally used for past states.

  • We used to own a small shop. ✅
  • We would own a small shop. ❌ (not natural)
  • We would visit our cousins every August. ✅

Quick memory tip

  • get used to = becoming comfortable
  • be used to = already comfortable
  • used to = past habit that stopped
  • would = repeated past action

Teacher note: Clear explanation of get used to, be used to, used to, and would, with examples and common mistakes.

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3. Image

Compare the four grammar forms and see how they are used in meaning, form, and examples. This chart will help you choose the right structure when talking about habits and changes.

Teacher note: Compare the four grammar forms and see how they are used in meaning, form, and examples. This chart will help you choose the right structure when talking about habits and changes.

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4. Multiple choice

Choose the best answer for each sentence.

1.

Which sentence shows a past habit that is no longer true?

2.

Which form is correct: "After two weeks, I finally ___ the early meetings."

3.

Which sentence means the person is comfortable with something now?

4.

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

5.

Which sentence best describes a repeated action in the past?

6.

Which sentence is correct for a new situation that is becoming normal?

Teacher note: Choose the best answer for each sentence.

Answer key (teachers only)

Students do not see this. Each line is the expected answer for that item.

  • Q1A. I used to cycle to work every day.
  • Q2A. got used to
  • Q3A. She is used to speaking in front of clients.
  • Q4B. We used to leave the office at six.
  • Q5A. My grandfather would tell the same story every Sunday.
  • Q6A. I am getting used to the longer commute.

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5. Spot the mistake

Find and correct the five mistakes in the paragraph.

Find the mistakes

Mark at least one word to finish this step (when required)

Teacher note: Find the five grammar mistakes and correct them.

Answer key (teachers only)

Students do not see this. Each line is the expected answer for that item.

  • 1.would to→would

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6. Listening

Your browser does not support audio playback.

Listen to the dialogue, then answer the questions.

Teacher audio script
Nina: How is the new shift pattern going?
Owen: Much better now. At first, I was not used to finishing work so late.
Nina: That makes sense. I’m still getting used to the quieter evenings at home.
Owen: I’m used to it now, but the first week felt endless.
Nina: In my last department, we used to have coffee breaks at three, and people would chat for ages.
Owen: Here, everyone leaves quickly, so I’m getting used to a different rhythm.
Nina: It can be hard when a routine changes.
Owen: True, but after a month, it starts to feel normal.

Teacher note: Listen to the dialogue and answer the questions.

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7. True / false

These statements are about a new office schedule. Decide if each one is true or false.

  • Owen says he was not used to finishing work so late at first.

  • Nina says she is already comfortable with quieter evenings at home.

  • In Nina's last department, people used to have coffee breaks at three.

  • The speakers say everyone in the new office stays for long chats after work.

  • Owen says the new rhythm starts to feel normal after about a month.

Teacher note: Decide if each statement is true or false.

Answer key (teachers only)

Students do not see this. Each line is the expected answer for that item.

  • 1. Owen says he was not used to finishing work so late at first.True
  • 2. Nina says she is already comfortable with quieter evenings at home.False
  • 3. In Nina's last department, people used to have coffee breaks at three.True
  • 4. The speakers say everyone in the new office stays for long chats after …False
  • 5. Owen says the new rhythm starts to feel normal after about a month.True

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8. Speaking

Class speaking activity — read, then practise aloud with your teacher or partner

Pair discussion: life changes and routines

Work with a partner. Speak for 2–3 minutes on each topic. Try to use all four structures naturally: get used to, be used to, used to, and would.

Discuss these situations

  • A time you started a new job, team, or shift pattern
  • A city, neighborhood, or country where you had to adapt
  • A daily habit you no longer do
  • A routine that now feels normal, but did not at first
  • A change in family life, commuting, exercise, or working style
  • Something that still feels inconvenient or tiring

Follow-up questions

  • How long did it take before the change felt normal?
  • What part was hardest in the beginning?
  • What are you comfortable with now?
  • What did you do regularly in the past that you do not do anymore?
  • Did your life used to be more flexible, quieter, or busier?

Useful speaking starters

  • I wasn’t used to…
  • I’m used to… now, but…
  • I used to… when I was…
  • In the past, I would often…
  • It took me a while to get used to…

Challenge

After your answer, your partner should ask one more question about the change.

Teacher note: Discuss life changes and routines with a partner.

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10. Text

A New Life in Porto

When Leila moved from Cairo to Porto for work, everything felt unfamiliar. She was not used to speaking Portuguese in shops, and she often paused before answering simple questions. In her first month, she used to call her sister every evening, just to hear a familiar voice. Back home, she would sit on the balcony after dinner and watch the street below.

Slowly, life began to feel easier. After a few weeks, she got used to taking the tram to the office and ordering coffee in Portuguese. Now she is used to the rhythm of the city, although she still misses some things from home.

Grammar note

Use get used to + noun / -ing for the process of becoming comfortable: I got used to working late. Use be used to + noun / -ing for the result: I am used to working late. Used to + base verb talks about past habits or states that are no longer true: I used to live near the sea. Would is also used for repeated past actions, but not for past states: *We would walk to school together.

Context

Moving to another country often means changing language, transport, food, and daily routines. Adults usually adapt in stages: first the change feels tiring, then it becomes manageable, and later it may feel completely normal.

Discussion

  1. ·What part of Leila’s move would be hardest for you?
  2. ·Which change in your own life took the longest to feel normal?
  3. ·What did you used to do every day that you do not do now?
  4. ·Is there anything you are still getting used to?

Teacher note: A short reading about adapting to life in a new country, with grammar notes and discussion questions.

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12. Grammar practice

Choose the best answer for each sentence.

1.

Which sentence is correct?

2.

Which sentence shows a process of becoming comfortable with a new situation?

3.

Which sentence describes a past habit that is no longer true?

4.

Which option best completes the sentence: After three months, he finally ___ the long commute.

5.

Which sentence is correct?

6.

Which sentence means the speaker is comfortable with the current routine?

7.

Which sentence is NOT correct?

8.

Which sentence best fits this meaning: the speaker needed time before the change felt normal?

Teacher note: Grammar practice with multiple-choice questions on form and meaning.

Answer key (teachers only)

Students do not see this. Each line is the expected answer for that item.

  • Q1B. I am used to waking up early.
  • Q2A. I get used to noisy streets.
  • Q3B. She used to live in Madrid.
  • Q4A. got used to
  • Q5B. They used to meet after class every Friday.
  • Q6B. I am used to my current routine.
  • Q7C. We are used to visit our grandparents every summer.
  • Q8A. It took me a while to get used to the new schedule.

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9. AI conversation

Roles set by your teacherRole-play

Who is responsible for what

Stay in your role during the live voice chat. The AI partner follows the other role.

You (student)

New employee

AI partner

HR manager

What to do

  • Turn on your microphone and speak naturally in a short role-play.
  • Keep the conversation on the topic of a new job, office routines, and adjustment.
  • Try to use: get used to, be used to, used to do, and would.
  • Aim for about 5 minutes and stay in role the whole time.

Students connect here for a live 5-minute AI voice conversation.

Teacher note: Block 9/12 AI conversation: role-play a workplace chat about adapting to a new job and office routines.

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11. Writing task

Write a short paragraph about a change in your life, such as a new job, city, schedule, or responsibility. Use all four target forms at least once: get used to, be used to, used to do, and would. Include one example of a past habit and one example of something you are still adjusting to.

Aim for at least 80 words.

Teacher note: Write a short paragraph about a life change, using all four target forms.

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