🎙 Already Used To It
Be Used To — accustomed to“Comfortable & Comfortable With”
Understand and use 'be used to' plus a noun or verb ending in -ing to talk about things that feel normal and familiar. Tell the difference between 'be used to' and 'used to' for past habits.
One button, the whole episode. Good for the bus, the car or a walk.
Welcome
Jenny: “Welcome to the YouSpeakPlus Audio Cast. Today we've got three parts for you.”
Marco: “First, the grammar. We're looking at 'be used to'. Like: I'm used to working late.”
Jenny: “That means something feels completely normal now. You've done it many times.”
Marco: “Then we look at the word 'comfortable'. It's got more than one meaning, so watch out.”
Jenny: “And then there's a story that brings both together. Real people, a real situation.”
Marco: “Ready? Let's start.”
Part 1 · Grammar
Jenny: “Today we're looking at 'be used to'. This means something feels normal because you've done it many times. So: I'm used to working late. That means working late is not a problem for me anymore. It feels completely normal.”
Marco: “Okay. So it's about something that feels normal now? Not something new or difficult?”
Jenny: “Exactly. Normal, familiar, not a problem anymore. Let me give you a few examples so you can feel the meaning. My friend moved to London two years ago. Now she's used to the long commute. It doesn't bother her anymore.”
Marco: “Right. She wasn't used to it before, but now she is. So it changed over time — it became normal.”
Jenny: “Perfect. Here's another one. My brother works night shifts. He's used to sleeping during the day. It feels completely normal to him. He doesn't even find it strange anymore.”
Marco: “And what about in a new job? Like, meeting new colleagues every week — could you use 'be used to' for that?”
Jenny: “Good thinking. You could say: I'm used to working in a big team. Or: She isn't used to the noise in the open office yet. Both are very natural. The word 'yet' at the end tells us it still feels strange, but maybe it won't always.”
Marco: “So you can use it with a negative too. Like, something that still feels uncomfortable or strange.”
Jenny: “Yes. 'I'm not used to' means it still feels strange. Now let's look at the pattern. Listen carefully: I am used to — then a noun or a verb with -ing. So: I'm used to the noise. Or: I'm used to waking up early. Both patterns work.”
Marco: “So it's always -ing? Not the base form? You can't say 'I'm used to wake up early'?”
Jenny: “Always -ing after 'be used to'. So: I'm used to getting up early. Not 'I'm used to get up early'. That second version sounds wrong to native speakers. Keep that pattern in your head: used to, then -ing.”
Marco: “Got it. Can I try? I work from home now, so I'm used to sitting at my desk all day.”
Jenny: “That's great. Very natural. One more?”
Marco: “My sister lives near the train station. She's used to the noise.”
Jenny: “Perfect. That's 'be used to' with a noun. Now try a situation where something still feels strange — use the negative form this time.”
Marco: “Hmm. I'm not used to dealing with difficult customers. It's still hard for me.”
Jenny: “Excellent. That's exactly right. Now let's look at a very common mistake. Some people say: I am used to get up at six. Listen to that again: I am used to get up at six. What do you think — does that sound right?”
Marco: “Oh, that sounds wrong to me now. It should be 'getting', not 'get'.”
Jenny: “Good ear. The correct form is: I am used to getting up at six. Always -ing, never the base form. Say it with me: I am used to getting up at six.”
Marco: “And what about 'used to' without 'be'? Like, 'I used to live alone' — is that the same meaning?”
Jenny: “Great question. That's a different structure. 'I used to live alone' means you did it in the past, but not now. The situation is finished. There's no 'be' in that structure, and it doesn't use -ing.”
Marco: “So 'I am used to living alone' means it feels normal now. But 'I used to live alone' means I did it before, but not anymore. They sound similar but they mean very different things.”
Jenny: “Exactly right. They sound similar but the meaning is very different. That's the mistake to watch out for. If someone says 'I used to living alone', that's a mix of both — and it doesn't work in either structure.”
Marco: “I think I've got it. 'Be used to' is about what feels familiar now. 'Used to' is about a past habit or situation that has finished.”
Jenny: “Perfect summary. So remember: 'be used to' plus -ing or a noun for things that feel normal. Keep that pattern in your head and practise it today. Try to notice it when you read or listen — you'll find it more often than you expect.”
Part 2 · Word focus
Jenny: “Okay, let's look at a word you probably know already. Comfortable. Think about this: this sofa is comfortable. Easy, right?”
Marco: “Yes, I know it. It means soft, nice to sit on. Like physical comfort — your body feels good.”
Jenny: “Exactly. That's the first meaning — physical. A comfortable chair, a comfortable bed, a comfortable pair of shoes. Your body feels no pain, no stress. Simple.”
Marco: “Okay, so it's always about the body? Like, something you can touch or sit in?”
Jenny: “Good question, because actually no — not always. There's a second meaning, and this one is more interesting. It's about how you feel inside, emotionally. Listen to this: I feel comfortable in this office. Everyone is friendly and I know what I'm doing. No stress. So what kind of comfort is that?”
Marco: “That's emotional, right? Like, you feel relaxed and safe in that place. Not anxious.”
Jenny: “Exactly. At ease, relaxed, not anxious. Here's another one: after a few weeks, she felt comfortable in her new team. She'd settled in. What does 'settled in' mean to you?”
Marco: “Settled in — I think it means she felt at home there. Like, the new place became normal for her.”
Jenny: “Yes, exactly. And notice — that idea is very close to 'be used to', which we looked at earlier. She's used to the team now, and she feels comfortable. The two ideas often appear together. Can you see the connection?”
Marco: “I think so. 'Used to' is about what feels normal — what you know well. And 'comfortable' is about how you feel emotionally in that situation. So they're close but not the same.”
Jenny: “That's a really good way to put it. Now, there's a very useful chunk I want you to learn: comfortable with. Listen carefully. I'm not comfortable with giving presentations. It still makes me nervous. So what is 'comfortable with' pointing at here?”
Marco: “It's pointing at a specific thing — giving presentations. So 'comfortable with' means you feel okay about that particular task. Or not okay, in this case.”
Jenny: “Exactly. You can use it with a noun or with a verb plus -ing. For example: I'm comfortable with the pressure. Or: I'm comfortable with working under pressure. Both are correct. Now you try. Tell me something you or someone you know is not comfortable with at work.”
Marco: “Okay, let me try. My colleague is not comfortable with dealing with angry customers. She finds it really hard.”
Jenny: “Perfect. Very natural. Now, I want to look at the difference between 'comfortable with' and 'not used to', because they're close in meaning but not the same. If I say: I'm not used to speaking in public — what does that tell you?”
Marco: “It means speaking in public still feels strange. It's not normal yet. Like, you haven't done it enough times.”
Jenny: “Right — it's about habit, about what's familiar. Now what about: I'm not comfortable with speaking in public. Is that the same thing?”
Marco: “I think it's different. 'Not comfortable with' is more about the feeling — you're anxious, maybe a little afraid. But 'not used to' is more about experience. You could feel both at the same time, of course.”
Jenny: “That's a great way to put it. So: not comfortable with — emotion. Not used to — experience, habit. Now I want to show you one common trap. Some learners say: I am comfortable to work in a big team. Listen again: I am comfortable to work in a big team. What do you think — does that sound right?”
Marco: “Hmm, I think it sounds a bit wrong. Should it be 'comfortable with working'? Or just 'comfortable working'?”
Jenny: “Both of those are correct. I am comfortable with working in a big team. Or simply: I am comfortable working in a big team. But not 'comfortable to work'. That form doesn't work here. So remember: comfortable with, then -ing. Not comfortable to.”
Marco: “Got it. Comfortable with, then -ing. I'll try to remember that.”
Jenny: “Good. Let's do a quick check. I'll say a sentence and you tell me — is it physical comfort or emotional comfort? Ready? First one: the hotel bed was really comfortable.”
Marco: “Physical. The bed feels good. Your body is relaxed.”
Jenny: “Right. Next one: she's not comfortable with the new manager. She finds him difficult to read.”
Marco: “Emotional. She feels anxious or unsure around him. It's about how she feels, not about anything physical.”
Jenny: “Exactly. Last one: after six months, he felt comfortable in the new city. He knew where everything was.”
Marco: “Emotional again. He felt relaxed and at ease. He'd settled in — and probably he was used to the city by then too.”
Jenny: “Perfect — and well spotted on the 'used to' connection. So the one thing to take away from today: comfortable describes physical ease, but also emotional ease. And when you add 'with', you're pointing at exactly what makes you feel okay — or not okay. Use that chunk. You'll hear it a lot in everyday conversation.”
- a physical feeling of ease and no pain, about a seat, bed, room, or body This chair is really comfortable — I could sit here all day.
- feeling relaxed, safe, and not worried in a situation or place I feel comfortable in this office — everyone is very friendly.
- comfortable with something or someone — feeling okay about doing something or dealing with someone, not anxious or unsure She's not comfortable with public speaking, so she gets nervous before meetings.
- having enough money to live well, without big money worries — often 'a comfortable life' or 'comfortable income' They don't earn a huge amount, but they have a comfortable life.
- used about a person who is ill or injured — not in serious pain, stable The doctor said he was comfortable after the operation.
Part 3 · Story
Jenny: “Here's a story that brings today's language to life. It's Carla's first week at a busy café. Her colleague Dan has worked there for two years. It's seven in the morning, and the kitchen is already full of noise.”
Carla: “Dan, is it always this loud at seven in the morning?”
Dan: “Always. But don't worry — you'll be fine. I'm used to the noise now. I don't even notice it.”
Carla: “I'm not used to starting so early. My last job started at nine. This is a big change.”
Dan: “I know. The early start is hard at first. But after a few weeks, it feels completely normal. You stop noticing it.”
Carla: “And the orders come in so fast. I'm not comfortable with the system yet. I keep making mistakes.”
Dan: “That's completely normal. I wasn't comfortable with it either in my first week. It took me about a month before I felt confident with it.”
Carla: “A whole month? Honestly, that makes me feel a bit better.”
Dan: “You're doing well. Are you used to working in a kitchen at all? Or is this your first time?”
Carla: “I worked in a small café before, but it was very quiet. I'm not used to working under this much pressure.”
Dan: “I get that. I used to find the pressure really hard too. But now I'm used to dealing with it. It's just part of the job.”
Jenny: “The morning rush passes. It's now ten o'clock, and the kitchen is quieter.”
Carla: “Okay. That was intense. But I actually felt more comfortable towards the end. Less nervous.”
Dan: “See? You're already settling in. By next week you'll feel completely comfortable with the routine.”
Carla: “I hope so. What about the manager? She seems very serious. Is she always like that?”
Dan: “She's fine once you know her. I'm used to her style now. She's direct, but she's fair.”
Carla: “I'm not comfortable with her yet. She watched me the whole time during the rush. I felt so nervous.”
Dan: “She watches everyone at first. She just wants to see how you work. Give it two weeks — you'll stop noticing her.”
Carla: “Two weeks. Okay. And what about the split shifts? Are you used to finishing at three and then coming back at six?”
Dan: “Honestly? I've been here two years and I'm still not used to the split shifts. That part never gets easy.”
Carla: “Oh no. That's the one thing I was hoping would get better.”
Dan: “Sorry. But everything else — the noise, the pressure, the system — you'll be used to all of it very soon. And you'll feel much more comfortable with everything, I promise.”
Carla: “I'll hold on to that. Thanks, Dan.”
Jenny: “Listen to the story again. This time, count how many times you hear 'be used to'. It came up eight times. And listen for 'comfortable' and 'comfortable with' — you heard those four times. Good luck.”
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