8.17 Used To / Be Used To / Get Used To

THINK ABOUT IT Discuss the questions with a partner or in a small group.

1. What are some other sports people take part in to raise money? Give some examples. 2. Why are sports an especially good way to persuade people to make donations to good causes? Explain.

EXAMPLES

Mimi used to own a 10-speed bike. Now she owns a 24-speed bike. I didn’t use to exercise much. Now I exercise almost every day.

Mimi is used to riding her bike in Chicago, which is flat. She isn’t used to the cold wind in Alaska.

Chicago is flat. Mimi had to get used to riding her bike in the mountains. Some of the riders couldn’t get used to the cold wind and had to quit. Pronunciation Note: The d in used to is not pronounced.

EXPLANATION

Used to + the base form shows that an activity was repeated or habitual in the past. This activity has been discontinued. For the negative, we use didn’t use to. We omit the d in the negative. Be used to + gerund or noun means to be accustomed to. This phrase describes a person’s habits. It shows what is normal and comfortable. For the negative, we use be + not + used to. We don't omit the d in the negative. Get used to + gerund or noun means “become accustomed to.” For the negative, we often use can’t or couldn’t before get used to. We don't omit the d in the negative.

EXERCISE 29 Finish these statements. Answers may vary. 1. I used to exercise once a week , but now I exercise every day. 2. I used to to work. Now I ride my bike. It’s good exercise and I save money.

3. I used to my bike only in the summer. But now I do it all year-round.

4. I used to only money. Now I donate time and money to help others.

5. I used to my extra money, but now I donate it to charity.

ABOUT YOU Complete the sentences so that they are true for you.

1. I used to

2. I didn’t use to

3. I’m used to

4. I’m not used to , but now I

5. When I I had to get used in the morning.

on weekends.

EXERCISE 30 Fill in the blanks with be used to and the correct form of the verb given.

1. A: I heard you volunteer with children now. Do you like it?

B: I’m not sure yet. I’ve always worked with adults. I ’m not used to working

work

2. A: Do you want to train for the next California AIDS ride with me? with children.

B: California is mountainous. I

I think it’s going to be hard for me.

ride

3. A: Do you think it’s hard for Bill Gates to give away money?

B: I don’t think so. He’s been doing it for a long time. So I think he

away a lot of money.

4. A: Don’t you think the story about Dawson is strange? a bike in the mountains, so

give

B: Why?

A: He had a lot of money, but he continued to drive his old car.

B: Well, he

drive his old car. So it wasn’t a problem for him.

5. A: Patty Stonesifer had a high-paying job, but now she works with people in need. It must be hard.

B: She loves it. She learned from her parents to help others. So she

other people.

help

6. A: I have a volunteer job on the weekends.

B: Do you like it?

A: I like the job, but I

work

and watch sports on TV on the weekend. on the weekend. I always used to relax

7. A: Joyce invited people to her house to make cards.

B: I’m glad she never invited me. I

A: Everyone told her the same thing. She

that no artistic talent was necessary.

do

hear anything artistic.

that. But she always explained

8. A: I want to do an AIDS bike ride. I have a lot of experience riding a bike.

B: Why don’t you do it, then?

A: There’s just one problem. I’m from Thailand, where we always ride on the left side of the street.

I

ride on the right side. I’m afraid I’ll have an accident.

EXERCISE 31 Here is a story of a San Francisco man who did the Alaska AIDS ride. Circle the correct words to complete the story.

In 2001, I went on the AIDS bike ride in Alaska. My

friends told me about it and asked me to join them. At first, I

was afraid. My friends are good cyclists. They

(used to ride/are used to riding) long distances because they

do it all the time. They persuaded me to try it because it was

for such a good cause. To get ready for the ride, I had to make

some lifestyle changes. (I’m/I)

1.

used to be a little overweight,

2.

so I had to slim down and get in shape. First, I went on a diet.

(I/I was) used to eating a lot of bread and rice, but now I eat

3.

mostly vegetables and lean meats. Also, I decided to get more

exercise. I used to (take/taking) the bus to work every day,

but I decided to start riding my bike to work. I work 10 miles

from home, so it was hard for me at first. But little by little, I

4.

(got used to/used to) it. On the weekends, I started to take

5.

longer rides. Eventually I got used to (ride/riding) about

45–50 miles a day. When the time came for the AIDS ride, I

thought I was prepared. I live in San Francisco, which is hilly,

6.

so I was used to (ride/riding) up and down hills. But it’s not

cold in San Francisco. On some days the temperature in

Alaska was only 25 degrees Fahrenheit, with strong winds. At

7.

first, I (wasn’t/couldn’t) get used to the cold. It was especially

8.

hard to (used/get used) to the strong winds. But eventually, I

9.

got (use/used) to it. I am proud to say I was one of the 1,600

10.

riders who finished the ride. I didn’t (use/used) to think that

one person could make a difference, but I raised close to

$4,000. As a group we raised $4 million. And I’ve become a

much healthier person because of this experience.

11. A group of people cycling in Skagway, Alaska, USA