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Some English structures require the -ing form, while others require the infinitive.
Some English structures require the -ing form, while others require the infinitive.
This page will grow as I learn new structures.
This page will grow as I learn new structures.
Used to / Be used to / Get used to
Used to / Be used to / Get used to
1️⃣ USED TO + base verb
= something was true or happened regularly in the past, but is no longer true now.
I used to go hiking a lot.
I used to go to bed at 4 or 5 a.m.
🇫🇷 Avant, je… / J'avais l'habitude de…
Structure:
used to + base verb
2️⃣ BE USED TO + noun / -ing
= to be accustomed to something.
I'm used to travelling alone.
I'm not used to doing so much sport.
🇫🇷 Être habitué(e) à… / Avoir l'habitude de…
Structure:
be used to + noun / verb-ing
3️⃣ GET USED TO + noun / -ing
= to become accustomed to something.
I got used to travelling alone.
I'm getting used to waking up earlier.
🇫🇷 S'habituer à…
Structure:
get used to + noun / verb-ing
Puis, toujours dans le même groupe, termine par un petit comparatif :
Compare:
I used to travel alone.
→ I did it in the past.
I'm used to travelling alone.
→ It's normal for me now.
I got used to travelling alone.
→ I became accustomed to it.
⚠️ REMEMBER
BE USED TO and GET USED TO are followed by -ing, not the infinitive.
❌ I'm used to do sport.
✅ I'm used to doing sport.
But:
✅ I used to do sport.
Why? In be/get used to, to is a preposition, so it can be followed by the -ing form.
Common patterns to remember
Common patterns to remember
WOULD LIKE + to + verb
I'd like to continue the lesson.
I'd like to come back to Greece.
🇫🇷 J'aimerais…
⚠️
❌ I'd like continue
✅ I'd like to continue
WANT + to + verb
I want to learn Greek one day.
I want to keep this routine going.
🇫🇷 Je veux…
want + to + base verb
AVOID + verb-ing
I do other things to avoid doing what I'm supposed to do.
🇫🇷 éviter de faire…
❌ avoid to do
✅ avoid doing
FEEL LIKE + verb-ing
I feel like watching TV tonight.
🇫🇷 avoir envie de faire…
❌ I feel like to watch TV.
✅ I feel like watching TV.
KEEP + verb-ing
= continue doing something repeatedly
I keep putting things off.
🇫🇷 continuer à / ne pas arrêter de…
keep + verb-ing
💡 Don't confuse this with keep something going:
I want to keep this routine going.
→ I want this routine to continue.
⚠️REMEMBER
Some structures need TO + verb:
want to do
would like to do
Others need verb-ing:
avoid doing
feel like doing
keep doing
Don't translate the French structure word for word.
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