🎙 Getting Used To Something New
Get Used To — become accustomed to“NATURAL/ NATURALLY”
Use 'get used to' with a noun or an -ing verb to talk about becoming accustomed to something new. Describe an ongoing adjustment process in your own life using natural, confident English.
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 things for you.”
Sofia: “First, a grammar point. We're looking at get used to, with a noun or an -ing verb. For example: I'm getting used to the new schedule.”
Jenny: “Then we're looking at the word natural, and its adverb naturally. It has more than one use, so listen carefully.”
Sofia: “And then there's a story that brings both together. Two friends talking about a big change in one of their lives.”
Jenny: “Ready? Let's start.”
Part 1 · Grammar
Jenny: “Today we're looking at 'get used to'. Here's an example: She's getting used to her new job. This means the process of becoming comfortable with something new. It's not finished yet — it's still happening.”
Sofia: “So it's about change? Like when something is new and difficult at first, and you're slowly becoming more comfortable with it?”
Jenny: “Exactly. And we use it when the change is still happening. Listen to these examples: I'm getting used to the early mornings. He got used to the long commute. They're getting used to working from home. Notice how each one describes a period of adjustment — something that was new and is slowly becoming normal.”
Sofia: “And what about when it's finished? When you're already comfortable with something — do you use a different structure?”
Jenny: “Good question. That is a different structure, and we're not covering it today. Today is only about the process — the period of adjustment. Here are more examples: She got used to her new colleagues. I'm getting used to the noise in the city. He's getting used to cooking for himself.”
Sofia: “I see. So it can be past or present, depending on when the change happened. If it's still happening now, I use 'I'm getting used to'. If it finished in the past, I say 'I got used to'.”
Jenny: “Right. Now let's look at the form. The pattern is: get used to, and then a noun or a verb with -ing. Listen: Get used to the schedule. Get used to waking up early. Notice the -ing after 'to'. That's important.”
Sofia: “Why -ing? In Italian we'd use the infinitive after a word like 'to'. So my first instinct would be to say 'get used to wake up' — but that sounds wrong now that I think about it.”
Jenny: “That's exactly where many learners make a mistake, and it makes sense that you'd feel that pull. In this pattern, 'to' is not part of an infinitive. It's a preposition. And after a preposition, we always use the -ing form, not the base verb.”
Sofia: “Okay. So I can't say 'get used to drive'? I have to say 'get used to driving'?”
Jenny: “Exactly right. It's always 'get used to driving', never 'get used to drive'. Good. Now you try. You started a new job last month. The schedule means you have to be at work at seven in the morning. Tell me about that.”
Sofia: “I'm getting used to starting work at seven. It's still a bit hard, but it's getting easier.”
Jenny: “Perfect. Now tell me about something else at the new job. You have a new keyboard, and the layout is different from what you had before.”
Sofia: “I'm getting used to the new keyboard. It's a bit strange still, but I'm making fewer mistakes now.”
Jenny: “Great. One more. You moved to a new city six months ago. The traffic was a big problem at first. But six months have passed — is it still a problem, or did you manage to adjust?”
Sofia: “I got used to the traffic gradually. It took a few weeks, but now it doesn't bother me at all.”
Jenny: “Excellent. Now let's look at two common mistakes. Listen carefully. First wrong sentence: I'll get used to drive on the left. That's wrong. The right form is: I'll get used to driving on the left. I'll get used to driving on the left. The -ing is always there after 'to'.”
Sofia: “Because 'to' here is a preposition, not part of the infinitive. So we need -ing. I need to remember that — it's different from what I expect in Italian.”
Jenny: “Exactly. Now the second common mistake. Listen: I get used to living here. That sounds like the process is finished, but it isn't. If the change is still happening now, you need to say: I'm getting used to living here. I'm getting used to living here. The -ing form of 'get' shows that the process is still going on.”
Sofia: “So I need 'I'm getting', not 'I get', to show it's still in progress. If I say 'I get used to', it sounds like it's done — like a fact, not a process.”
Jenny: “Right. Use the -ing form of 'get' when the change is still going on. Okay, one last try. You've just started working night shifts. It's only been a week. How is it going?”
Sofia: “It's hard, but I'm getting used to working at night. I think it will feel more normal after a few more weeks.”
Jenny: “That's the one. So remember: get used to shows the process of change — the period of adjustment. Always use a noun or -ing after it, never the base verb. And use 'I'm getting used to' when the process is still going on. Keep practising with real situations in your own life — that's the best way to make it feel natural.”
Part 2 · Word focus
Jenny: “Today we're looking at the word natural. Here's an example: It's natural to feel nervous before a big presentation. What do you think natural means there?”
Sofia: “I think it means normal? Like, it's not strange to feel nervous — most people do.”
Jenny: “Exactly. The most common meaning of natural is normal, expected, not surprising. Listen to two more examples: It's natural to make mistakes when you're learning something new. It's natural to miss your family when you move abroad.”
Sofia: “So it's about feelings and reactions that are completely understandable. You're not saying anything is wrong — just that it makes sense.”
Jenny: “Right. Now, natural has a second meaning too. This one is about the physical world. Listen: This soap contains only natural ingredients. The park is full of natural beauty. Here, natural means coming from nature — not made by people or machines.”
Sofia: “Like natural food, natural materials — things that aren't artificial or processed?”
Jenny: “Exactly. Natural versus artificial — that's the contrast. Now let's look at the adverb: naturally. It has two main uses. First, it means in a relaxed, easy way. Listen: Just speak naturally and you'll be fine. She moved naturally on stage — she didn't seem nervous at all.”
Sofia: “So naturally there means without trying too hard? Without looking forced or uncomfortable?”
Jenny: “Yes. It describes how someone does something — in an easy, comfortable way. And there's a second use of naturally. It means of course, or as you'd expect. Listen: Naturally, the team was happy when they won. Naturally, he was tired after working all night.”
Sofia: “So naturally can start a sentence and just mean 'of course'? It's a bit like saying 'obviously'?”
Jenny: “Exactly right. It signals that the result is no surprise. Now there's one more use — a noun use. We say someone is a natural. It means they have a skill they were born with. Listen: She's a natural at languages. He's a natural — he picked up the guitar in just a few weeks.”
Sofia: “Oh, I like that one. So a natural is someone who finds something easy without much practice. It's almost a compliment.”
Jenny: “It is. And notice the phrase come naturally. Talking to people comes naturally to her. That means it's easy for her — she doesn't have to try. It's a very common phrase.”
Sofia: “I know that feeling from the other side. Using 'to' with the -ing form does not come naturally to me yet. I'm still getting used to it.”
Jenny: “Good example. Now, one thing to watch out for. Speakers of some languages use naturally to mean 'of course' in all situations. But in everyday English conversation, of course sounds more natural. Listen: Naturally, I'll send you the report. That works fine in writing, but in a normal chat, of course is the better choice.”
Sofia: “So naturally isn't wrong — it just sounds a bit formal? I should use of course more in normal conversation?”
Jenny: “Right. Naturally works well in writing or in more formal speech. In everyday chat, of course is the better choice. Now, quick check. I'll say a sentence and you tell me which meaning of natural or naturally it is. Ready?”
Sofia: “Ready.”
Jenny: “First one. She's a natural — she's only been teaching for a year and she's already brilliant.”
Sofia: “That's the noun use — someone with a skill they were born with.”
Jenny: “Good. Second one. This shampoo uses only natural oils. No chemicals.”
Sofia: “That's the second meaning — coming from nature, not artificial.”
Jenny: “Perfect. Last one. It's natural to find the first few weeks at a new job a bit difficult.”
Sofia: “That's the first meaning — normal and expected. Not surprising.”
Jenny: “Spot on. So here's the one thing to hold onto: natural usually means normal and expected, but pay attention to context. It can also mean from nature, and naturally can mean either in an easy way or of course. Notice which meaning fits the situation.”
- normal, expected, not surprising given the situation It's natural to feel nervous before a job interview.
- existing in nature, not made by people or machines We use only natural ingredients in this recipe.
- in a relaxed, easy way, without effort or pretending Just speak naturally and the interview will go well.
- as you would expect, of course, obviously Naturally, she was upset when she heard the news.
- having a skill or ability that you were born with, not learned He's a natural leader — people just follow him.
Part 3 · Story
Jenny: “Here is a story that brings everything together. It is Saturday morning in a small coffee shop. Two friends, Clara and Diane, haven't seen each other for a few weeks. Clara started a new job recently, and Diane wants to know how it's going.”
Diane: “Clara! It's so good to see you. You look a little tired, though. Are you okay?”
Clara: “I'm getting there. I'm still getting used to the new routine. It's quite different from my old job.”
Diane: “What's the biggest change? Is it the commute?”
Clara: “Partly, yes. I'm getting used to the long commute. An hour each way — it felt impossible at first.”
Diane: “An hour each way? That's a lot. How do you manage?”
Clara: “I listen to podcasts. Naturally, I was exhausted in the first week. But it's getting easier.”
Diane: “And what about the job itself? Is the work very different from before?”
Clara: “The pace is much faster. I'm getting used to working under pressure. My old job was very relaxed.”
Diane: “Do you like it, though? The faster pace?”
Clara: “Actually, yes. It feels more natural now than it did in the first week. I was so stressed then.”
Diane: “What about the team? Are they friendly?”
Clara: “They're great. My manager is really calm. She handles everything so naturally — nothing seems to bother her.”
Diane: “That sounds like a good person to work with. What about the rest of the team?”
Clara: “They're lovely. I'm getting used to their way of doing things. Every team has its own style, you know?”
Jenny: “A few days pass. Clara and Diane message each other during the week. Then on Friday evening, Clara calls.”
Diane: “Hey! You sound different. More relaxed. Good week?”
Clara: “Actually, yes. I had a really good day today. I ran a meeting on my own for the first time.”
Diane: “No way! How did it go?”
Clara: “Better than I expected. I was nervous at the start, but that's natural, isn't it? Everyone is nervous the first time.”
Diane: “Of course it is. But you did it! How did you feel after?”
Clara: “Honestly, great. My manager said I handled it well. She said it'll come naturally after a few more times.”
Diane: “She's right. You've got used to so much already in just three weeks — the commute, the pace, the team.”
Clara: “True. And I'm still getting used to the early starts. But I think I'm going to be okay.”
Diane: “You are. You sound like a natural at this already.”
Clara: “Don't say that yet! Ask me again in a month.”
Jenny: “Listen to the story again. Count how many times you hear get used to, got used to, or getting used to. You should hear it eight times. And listen for natural and naturally. You will hear those four times, in more than one sense. Good luck.”
Member-Exclusive Practice Bar
Access a wide range of integrated practice for this unit — from Vocabulary and Grammar activities to AI-curated Writing tasks and Thematic Chat practice.
This feature is available to YSP members.
Explore Membership BenefitsMember-Exclusive Vocabulary Review & Acquisition System
This isn’t a simple quiz — it’s a fully tracked learning system. You build knowledge through recognition, then recall, and your progress feeds directly into the Integrated Practice Bar (Writing tasks, AI Chat, and more).
- Practice sessions, accuracy, and response-time tracking
- Term strength levels (Learning → Stable → Strong)
- Personal progress history for each unit
This feature is available to YSP members.
Explore Membership Benefits