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Today, I taught a lesson where the idea of habitual aspect was spoken about...What a breeze it was indeed! ( a breeze = easy!) By the end of class the student was used to the idea and able to say:
''I used to struggle with getting used to the idea of past aspect-now I am used to it!''
Is that confusing? Well, read further- keep on reading for clarity! I dare you!
The ''aspect of a verb'' is determined by whether the action is on-going or completed/finished:
Let's dig deeper- get your digging tools ready, get your shoes off and feet in the sand!
Used to (+would) shows that a particular thing always happened or was true in the past/ a repeated action in the past :
The habitual past is indicated(shown...) most often by the semi-auxiliary verb ''used to'' , the auxiliary would, or the simple past tense of a verb.These denote past states, with verbs such as ‘be’, ‘have’ and ‘live’.
Examples:
I used to have a picnic in the park every weekend -we would eat and drink and be merry!
We would go to the beach, where we used to build sandcastles.
I used to enjoy swimming in the ocean-I would swim for hours!
Be used to+ ing,
is used to say that something is normal(par for the course...) , not unusual.It means you do this often- let's say-you do this regularly.A habit!
Form: be verb+ used to:
Examples:
Affirmative:I am used to waking up at six o'clock.
Negative: I am (not) used to waking up at six o'clock.
Question:Are you used to waking up at six o'clock?
I am used to doing the dishes every evening.( This is my routine.)
Get used to +ing , shows that something is in the process of becoming normal.You have not done it often-you are trying to form a habit of doing it.
Form: get used to+ ing:
Examples:
Affirmative:I am trying to get used to riding my scooter.
Negative:I am not getting used to waking up at six o'clock.
Question: Are you getting used to riding your scooter?
I have to get used to all of this new technology, I have not yet gotten the hang of it. ( get the hang of = Get used to/become accustomed to.)
