used to

[atm]

I used to be a builder but, now I'm a rookie teacher.

I am used to getting up early in the morning.

What's the grammatical difference?

Yeah, it's an easy one but, it keeps tripping me up.

Thanks chums (I LOVE grammar! Not).

Atm

[marseeprint]

I used to = you can use it for something that took place in the past, but not anymore

(I used to play with my rabbit......not anymore, the rabbit is dead)
(This used to be my playground .....not anymore, I do not play anymore)


I am used to describes some kind of habit (always wit +ing)

(I am used to drinking milk = I have the habit of drinking milk)
I am used to getting up early in the morning. = I have the habit of getting up early)

I hope this helps

[Casiopea]

[1] I am no longer a builder. I don't do it anymore.
[2] I am accustomed to getting up early. It's a habit of mine.

[atm]

So the distinction is really between:

am used to (habit: present continuous)

and

used to be (past simple).

Am I correct? [I always used to be but, now I'm not so sure .]

Atm

[atm]

Therefore:

used to + ing = present continuous

used to be = past simple

Correct?

Atm

[Casiopea]

In the [a] examples, used to functions as an adjective, the verb BE (its forms: am, is, was, were, and so on) functions as the main verb, whereas in the examples used to functions as a main verb:

[b]Semantics
[1] accustomed to: BE + used to
[2] past habit: use to + do something

[1a] He is used to/accustomed to working late but he leaves at exactly 5 p.m. every day now.

[1b]He used to (in the past) work late but he leaves at exactly 5 p.m. every day now.

[2a] They were used to/accustomed to the sound the machines made and so it didn't bother them, but now that someone has complained about the sound, they all say they hate it, and refuse to work unless the machines are turned off.


[2b]They used to (in the past) like the sound the machines made and so it didn't bother them, but now that someone has complained about the sound, they all say they hate it, and refuse to work unless the machines are turned off.

Does that help?