Used to, Be used to and Get used to
Used to + infinitive
It is used to express an habit that used to be made in the past. It can be translated into Spanish as:
1. "Soler". For example: I used to run around the park once a week.
2. With a past verb (that is "imperfecto" in Spanish): I used to go to the gym every day when I was in Spain.
Some examples:
- Things used to be different
- I used to be a teacher. Now I’m retired
Be used to + -ing form ("estar habituado a", "estar acostumbrado a").
Some examples:
- I am used to exercising every day
- I was used to not make diet once a week
- I was used to be sedentary
Get used to + -ing form ("habituarse", "acostumbrarse")
Some examples:
- I am getting used to walking up early
- I never got used to living in the countryside
- I was getting used to working as personal trainer
Some explanatory videos:
- I was used to not make diet once a week
- I was used to be sedentary
Get used to + -ing form ("habituarse", "acostumbrarse")
Some examples:
- I am getting used to walking up early
- I never got used to living in the countryside
- I was getting used to working as personal trainer
Activities for practising:
Verbs that are followed by -ing or infinitive
Some verbs that go with TO INFINITIVE
– Teach + to infinitive = "enseñar". Example: My mother taught me to swim when I was 5 years old.
– Learn + to infinitive = "aprender". Example: When did you learn to cook?
– Tend + to infinitive = "tender", "ser propenso a". Example: I tend to repeat the same things to my students.
– Promise + to infinitive = "prometer". Example: I promise not to tell anyone.
– Pretend + to infinitive = "fingir". Example: I used to pretend to be sick when I didn’t want to go to school.
– Can’t afford + to infinitive = "no poder permitirse". Example: I would like to buy a new car, but I can’t afford to buy it (or I can’t afford it)
Another examples:
- I like eating vegetables. If you eat vegetables as a pleasure, because you like them.
- I like to eat vegetables every week. They’re good for your health.
The verb "try"
A. I have a headache. B. Why don’t you try having an aspirin? = the solution for the headache would be an aspirin.
Another example:
A. My mobile isn’t working properly today. B. Try switching it off and switching it on again after some minutes. It works sometimes…
Another example: He is trying to walk on a frame, but he can’t, his legs are too weak after his operation.
The verb "forget"
- I will never forget travelling to England when I was 16.
- Will you ever forget seeing the Empire State Building? I won’t.
- Don’t forget to phone Peter to tell him that the party has been cancelled.
- Another example: I forgot to send the email to the manager. I’ll be in trouble now.
– Teach + to infinitive = "enseñar". Example: My mother taught me to swim when I was 5 years old.
– Learn + to infinitive = "aprender". Example: When did you learn to cook?
– Tend + to infinitive = "tender", "ser propenso a". Example: I tend to repeat the same things to my students.
– Promise + to infinitive = "prometer". Example: I promise not to tell anyone.
– Pretend + to infinitive = "fingir". Example: I used to pretend to be sick when I didn’t want to go to school.
– Can’t afford + to infinitive = "no poder permitirse". Example: I would like to buy a new car, but I can’t afford to buy it (or I can’t afford it)
Some verbs that go with ING
– Can’t stand + ing = "no soportar". Example: I can’t stand walking in the sun in summer when it’s so hot.
– Can’t/Couldn’t help + ing = "no poder evitar". Example: I couldn’t help laughing when he fell off the chair.
– Imagine + ing = "imaginar". Example: I can’t imagine speaking German fluently, I find it so difficult…
– Risk + ing = "arriesgarse", "correr el riesgo". Example: I wouldn’t risk leaving the door unlocked at night, it’s something that has always frightened me.
– Spend + time + ing = "pasar (tiempo)". Example: I spent 30 minutes talking on the phone with mum yesterday.
– Practise + ing = "practicar". Example: Why don’t you practise speaking English with native people in the summer?
– Give up + ing = "dejar de hacer algo". Example: I gave up smoking 20 years ago.
– Fancy + ing = "apetercer". Example: do you fancy seeing a film tonight?
– Keep + ing = "seguir". Example: keep trying!
– Enjoy + ing = "disfrutar". Example: I enjoy swimming in the sea.
– Hate + ing = "odiar". Example: I hate studying at night, but I do it quite often.
There are some verbs that can be followed by both options, but with a change in meaning
The verb "like"
– Can’t stand + ing = "no soportar". Example: I can’t stand walking in the sun in summer when it’s so hot.
– Can’t/Couldn’t help + ing = "no poder evitar". Example: I couldn’t help laughing when he fell off the chair.
– Imagine + ing = "imaginar". Example: I can’t imagine speaking German fluently, I find it so difficult…
– Risk + ing = "arriesgarse", "correr el riesgo". Example: I wouldn’t risk leaving the door unlocked at night, it’s something that has always frightened me.
– Spend + time + ing = "pasar (tiempo)". Example: I spent 30 minutes talking on the phone with mum yesterday.
– Practise + ing = "practicar". Example: Why don’t you practise speaking English with native people in the summer?
– Give up + ing = "dejar de hacer algo". Example: I gave up smoking 20 years ago.
– Fancy + ing = "apetercer". Example: do you fancy seeing a film tonight?
– Keep + ing = "seguir". Example: keep trying!
– Enjoy + ing = "disfrutar". Example: I enjoy swimming in the sea.
– Hate + ing = "odiar". Example: I hate studying at night, but I do it quite often.
There are some verbs that can be followed by both options, but with a change in meaning
The verb "like"
- Like + ing: to deal with hobbies.
- Like + to infinitive = you do not enjoy with it, but you do it because it is good for you.
Another examples:
- I like eating vegetables. If you eat vegetables as a pleasure, because you like them.
- I like to eat vegetables every week. They’re good for your health.
The verb "try"
- Try + ing = it is used to give a solution, an advise or suggestion. Its translation into Spanish is a little bit complicate. Sometimes we would translate it as "intentar", "probar", "tomar", etc; it depends on the situation.
A. I have a headache. B. Why don’t you try having an aspirin? = the solution for the headache would be an aspirin.
Another example:
A. My mobile isn’t working properly today. B. Try switching it off and switching it on again after some minutes. It works sometimes…
- Try + to infinitive = in this case, "intentar" is more used, but it can also be translated into "suponer un esfuerzo". It is used when you want to express that it is hard to do something.
Another example: He is trying to walk on a frame, but he can’t, his legs are too weak after his operation.
The verb "forget"
- Forget + ing =it is used when we are making reference to a past action.
- I will never forget travelling to England when I was 16.
- Will you ever forget seeing the Empire State Building? I won’t.
- Forget + to infinitive = when we are not referring to past, because the action has not been completed.
- Don’t forget to phone Peter to tell him that the party has been cancelled.
- Another example: I forgot to send the email to the manager. I’ll be in trouble now.
Supplementary activities for practising:
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