The Confusing Phrase "Be Used to"

  

Note: To make this blog a little different and unique, I will also explain some things in Tagalog. Pero hindi lahat.  I know there are a lot of articles about English grammar but I am not sure if there are some that are explained in our mother tongue. 


A reminder: The purpose of this post is to inform not to insult.  Bato-bato sa Langit, ang tamaan wag magalit.


Be used  to
    
Many people especially language learners even an English teacher ( I know one) misused this expression. I remember a few years ago, an online English teacher mistakenly used this when in fact, she should have used the  "used to" only,  minus the word "be". 

Now, let's study the definition.


 Be used to (something)*** - this expression is an idiom that means to be accustomed or habituated   to. (Ibig sabihin, sanay ka na sa isang sitwasyon or gawin ang isang bagay.)

 The verb "be" here varies depending on the subject of the sentence and the tense you are using. Let's have some review....  be verbs: present (is, am , are) and past (was, were) 

  Example: 

  I am  used to spicy food.  (Sanay na ko sa mga maanghang na pagkain)
 I am used to eating spicy food. ( Sanay ako kumain ng maanghang na pagkain)


If you are used to eating chili, eto ka!!! puede ka nang sumali ng chili-eating contest at baka mag champion ka pa!!! eto si kuya oh!!!

                                              Ayan, sanay talaga si Kuya kumain ng sili. :P






What if, let's say ...You are not used to eating spicy food? eto maging itsura mo ....

                                                           nyahahaha!!!!




If  you notice, I emphasized the word "something"  after the expression "be used to".  You should be careful placing nouns or words here. There is a rule that this expression should only be followed by a  noun or a  gerund .  

Be used to can also be expressed in other ways:

 1. be accustomed to
 2. be familiar with
 3. be adapted to


That's it for now. If you have questions, feel free to ask and write your comments about this post. I hope in a way, I can help you improve your language skills. Till next time...