How to use "get used to"

What Does "get used to" Mean?

The expression get used to is a common English collocation used to describe the process of becoming accustomed to something or familiar with a new situation. Unlike the stative "be used to," which describes a completed state of familiarity, get used to emphasizes the transition or the effort involved in adapting.

Meaning: To become familiar with something through experience or over time.
Compositionality: It is semi-idiomatic. While "get" indicates a change of state and "used to" implies familiarity, the combination functions as a single semantic unit.
Register: Neutral. It is equally appropriate in casual conversation, journalism, and professional settings.

How to Use It

The grammar of get used to is a frequent source of confusion for learners. It follows a specific pattern where the "to" is a preposition, not part of an infinitive.

Grammatical Pattern: get used to + [noun/pronoun/gerund (-ing verb)].
Typical Objects: You can get used to a person (noun), a feeling (noun), or living alone (gerund).
Separability: The components are inseparable. You cannot place the object between "get" and "used to."
What sounds unnatural: Using the base form of a verb after "to" (e.g., "get used to drive" is incorrect; it must be "get used to driving"). Using "become" is a formal alternative, but "get" is the standard choice for this idiom.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from get used to on Ludwig.guru.

"Get used to it." — nytimes.com

"You get used to rejection." — newyorker.com

"I'll get used to this." — independent.co.uk

"Get used to the idea." — sciencemag.org

"Don't get used to that." — latimes.com

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
accustom oneself to	Much more formal and reflexive; often used in academic or literary contexts.
adjust to	Focuses on the specific changes or modifications one makes to fit a new environment.
acclimatize to	Specifically used for adapting to new climates, altitudes, or physical environments.
become familiar with	A neutral-to-formal alternative that emphasizes the acquisition of knowledge or experience.
adapt to	Suggests a more active evolutionary or functional change in response to new conditions.

Common Mistakes

The Infinitive Error: Learners often mistakenly follow 'to' with an infinitive verb (e.g., 'get used to do') instead of a gerund or noun (e.g., 'get used to doing'). Because "to" is a preposition here, it must be followed by a noun equivalent.
Confusing with "used to": Do not confuse get used to (becoming accustomed) with the modal-like "used to" (past habits). "I used to smoke" (past habit) is grammatically different from "I am getting used to the smoke" (becoming accustomed).
Separability: Attempting to split the phrase (e.g., "get it used to") changes the meaning entirely to "finding a use for something."

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
get used to	To become accustomed to a new situation or stimulus	get used to + [noun/-ing]	Neutral

FAQs

Can the words in get used to be separated by an object?

No, the phrase get used to is inseparable, meaning you cannot place a noun or pronoun between the words. You must keep the unit intact and place the object of the preposition immediately after to.

What is the difference between get used to and be used to?

While be used to describes a state where you are already familiar with something, get used to focuses on the process of change. Use get used to when you are still in the middle of adapting to a new situation.

Should I use a base verb or an -ing verb after get used to?

Learners often mistakenly follow to with an infinitive verb (e.g., 'get used to do') instead of a gerund or noun (e.g., 'get used to doing'). In this expression, to is a preposition, so it must be followed by a noun phrase or a verb ending in -ing.

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