Unit 5 · Health & Wellbeing · Lesson 24
Old Habits, New Routines
Learn the difference between 'used to', 'would' and 'get used to' — three structures learners constantly confuse. You'll practise talking about past habits and adjusting to new routines with clarity.
Warm-up · §1
5 minGet talking
What's one habit you used to have that you don't have anymore?
What are you still getting used to right now?
Describe the moment you decided to change one routine.
Grammar focus · §2
8–10 minused to / would / get used to — the three that everyone mixes up
Quick rule
USED TO = it stopped. WOULD = repeated past action only. GET USED TO = adjusting now. BE USED TO = adjusted already.
Pattern builder
Past state (finished)
used to + verb
e.g. I used to smoke.
Past habit (repeated)
would + verb
e.g. We would go camping every August.
Adjusting to new
be getting used to + noun/-ing
e.g. I'm getting used to the new schedule.
Already adjusted
be used to + noun/-ing
e.g. I'm used to early mornings.
Negative past habit
didn't use to + verb
e.g. I didn't use to enjoy vegetables.
Compare
| Meaning | Structure | Watch out |
|---|---|---|
| Past state — no longer true | used to + verb | 'I used to live there' ✓ / 'I would live there' ✗ |
| Past repeated action | would + verb (or used to) | 'Every summer we would swim.' ✓ |
| Process of adjusting | get used to + -ing | 'get used to WORK' ✗ → 'get used to WORKING' ✓ |
| Already comfortable with | be used to + -ing/noun | 'I'm used to it' — no verb needed. |
Examples
- →
I used to live in Rome. (past state — no longer true)
- →
Every Sunday, my grandfather would tell us stories. (repeated past action)
- →
I'm getting used to working from home. (still adjusting)
- →
I'm used to the early starts now. (already adjusted)
- →
It took me months to get used to the noise.
- →
I didn't use to drink coffee — now I can't function without it.
Common mistakes
I would live in Rome.
✓ I used to live in Rome.
'Would' can't describe past states.
I'm getting used to work here.
✓ I'm getting used to working here.
'Get used to' + -ing (or noun), never bare infinitive.
I use to drink coffee.
✓ I used to drink coffee. / I usually drink coffee.
Past habit needs 'USED TO' with -d.
Natural English
'I'm still getting used to it' is a very natural way to say 'I haven't fully adjusted yet' without complaining.
Deep dive (full explanation)
USED TO + verb = a past state or habit that is no longer true. WOULD + verb = a repeated past action (habits ONLY — not states like 'live' or 'be'). GET USED TO + noun/-ing = the process of adjusting to something new. BE USED TO + noun/-ing = already adjusted. Confusion between these is one of the clearest B1 → B2 markers.
Question 1.Correct:
Question 2.Correct:
Question 3.Correct:
Question 4.Correct negative:
Question 5.Already adjusted:
Build the sentence → spot the natural chunks → say it aloud → reply like a real conversation.
1.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
2.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
3.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
Quick check 1.Correct:
Quick check 2.Correct:
Vocabulary · §3
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
a routine
a regular pattern of daily activities.
to kick a habit
to successfully stop doing something.
to pick up a habit
to start doing something regularly.
to adjust to
to become comfortable with something new.
a fresh start
a new beginning.
to set your alarm
to program a wake-up time.
to stick to
to continue doing without giving up.
to fall back into
to return to an old (usually bad) habit.
willpower
mental strength to resist temptation.
gradually
slowly, over time.
Activate it now
Talk about a real change (or a change you want to make).
- Make it yours#1
A habit you kicked — what finally worked?
to kick a habit - Complete#2
Finish: 'The routine I stick to best is ___ , because ___ .'
a routineto stick to - Your view#3
Is willpower real, or is it just having a good system?
willpower - Rank#4
Rank easiest → hardest to adjust to: a new job, a new city, a new sleep schedule, a new diet.
to adjust to - Discuss#5
What habit have you 'picked up' in the last year?
to pick up a habit
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Pronunciation · §4
3–4 min'Used to' vs 'use to' — same sound, different spelling
Positive: 'used to' → /ˈjuːstə/. Negative/question: 'didn't use to' / 'did you use to' → /ˈjuːstə/. Same sound; the -d is invisible in speech. In writing, only the positive keeps the -d.
- I USED to LIVE in ROME.
- I DIDN't USE to LIKE COFFEE.
- DID you USE to SMOKE?
- I'm GETting USED to WORKing FROM HOME.
Reading · §5
8–10 minHow Long It Really Takes to Change
Listen to the passage
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
For years, self-help books told us it takes 21 days to build a new habit. The real number, according to a University College London study, is closer to 66 — and for some habits, closer to 250. That's not a discouraging number. It's an honest one. The reason people quit new routines is rarely willpower. It's the middle. The first week is exciting. The last month, when the habit has stuck, feels rewarding. But days 15 to 45 — when you're still getting used to a new routine, and the novelty has worn off — that's where most attempts collapse. What works, quietly, is small. People who kicked a habit usually made the new version easier than the old one. They didn't rely on willpower — they redesigned the moment. A person who used to reach for their phone the moment they woke up didn't try harder; they moved the phone to another room. A person who used to skip breakfast didn't set a bigger alarm; they left oats on the counter the night before. And if you fall back into the old habit? That's not the end of the change. It's part of it. Nobody adjusts to a new routine in a straight line. You get used to it, you slip, you get used to it again — that's the whole shape of change. Gradually is the only speed it really works.
Question 1.What does the University College London study say?
Question 2.Where do most attempts collapse?
Question 3.What worked for the person who used to grab their phone?
Question 4.What does the writer say about slipping?
Q1.The writer says 21 days is a reliable estimate.
Q2.Redesigning the moment worked better than willpower.
Q3.Nobody adjusts to a new routine in a straight line, according to the writer.
Listening · §6
8–10 minA podcast host talking to a listener about kicking a screen-time habit (about 1:30)
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Host:So — you used to be on your phone about seven hours a day, and now you're down to under two. How?
Ravi:Honestly, not willpower. I used to try that. It never lasted.
Host:What changed?
Ravi:I moved the phone. I used to sleep with it next to my bed. Now it charges in the kitchen. That one change did more than any app.
Host:How long did it take to adjust?
Ravi:About two months to properly get used to it. Weeks three to five were the worst — I'd fall back into old routines constantly. I'd walk into the kitchen for water and end up scrolling for twenty minutes.
Host:And now?
Ravi:Now I'm used to not having it in my hand. I would automatically reach for it — that reflex is basically gone.
Host:One piece of advice for someone starting?
Ravi:Change the environment, not yourself. And expect the middle to be ugly. It's supposed to be.
Question 1.What used to be Ravi's screen time?
Question 2.What single change made the biggest difference?
Question 3.Which weeks were the worst?
Question 4.What's his one piece of advice?
Exam skills · §7
5 minStrategy focus — used to / would range in Speaking Part 2
Task
Part 2 often asks candidates to describe past experiences or changes. Learners who only use past simple cap themselves at B1.
Strategy
Combine THREE structures in one answer: 'used to + verb' for a past state, 'would + verb' for a repeated action, 'get used to + -ing' for adjusting. Even one of each moves you to solid B2.
Example
I used to live in a very small town where nothing ever changed. Every Saturday my dad would take us to the same café for breakfast. When I moved to the city, it took me months to get used to the noise. I'm used to it now — but it wasn't automatic.
Practice · §8
8–10 minFill in the blank
Question 1.I ___ live in Rome, but I moved five years ago.
Question 2.Every Sunday, my grandfather ___ tell us stories.
Question 3.I'm still ___ used to the new schedule.
Question 4.I ___ use to enjoy vegetables — now I love them.
Question 5.I've kicked the ___ of checking my phone first thing.
Question 6.Change happens ___ , not overnight.
Q1.'I ___ to live in a small town.' (past state)
Q2.'Every summer, we ___ go swimming.' (past repeated action)
Q3.'I'm still getting used to ___ from home.' (verb+ing)
Writing · §9
5 minPut it in writing
Your task
Write a 130–170 word blog post titled 'The One Habit I Kicked'. Use at least ONE 'used to', ONE 'would', ONE 'get used to' and ONE 'be used to'.
Your answer
Show model answer
The One Habit I Kicked For about six years, I used to check my phone the second I woke up. Every morning, before I'd even opened my eyes properly, I would reach for it, scroll for twenty minutes, and start the day already tired. I told myself it was harmless. It wasn't. What finally worked wasn't willpower. I moved the phone to the kitchen. It charges there overnight now. That one change did more than every app I'd tried. The first three weeks were rough. I kept walking into the kitchen 'for water' and ending up scrolling on the counter. I would fall back into the old routine constantly. It took me about two months to properly get used to waking up without a screen. Now I'm used to it. I read, or I don't do anything — and that used to feel like wasted time, but it turns out it's just morning. It's supposed to feel slow.
Speaking · §10
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
ROLEPLAY — The Change. Your partner (or teacher) asks: 'What's a habit you kicked, and how did you do it?' Answer in 60–90 seconds using at least THREE of: used to, would, get used to, be used to. Then swap.
Useful phrases
- • I used to…
- • I would always…
- • It took me a while to get used to…
- • I'm used to it now.
- • The middle was the hardest part.
- • I would fall back into it constantly.
- FriendWhat time do you get up now?
- You_______________
- FriendWasn't that hard to adjust to?
- You_______________
- FriendWhat made it stick?
- You_______________
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Optional teacher-led activities. ~25 min total
Homework · §11
Take-homeTake it home
Write the 150-word 'One Habit I Kicked' post above about a real (or aspirational) change.
Record a 90-second voice note describing a routine you're still getting used to. Use all four structures at least once.
Write true sentences using: kick a habit, pick up a habit, adjust to, fresh start, stick to, fall back into, willpower, gradually.
Watch a 3-minute habits/routines clip. Note one 'used to' and one 'would' you hear.
Recap · §12
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- You can use 'used to + verb' for finished past states and habits.
- You can use 'would + verb' for repeated past actions (not states).
- You can use 'get used to + -ing' for adjusting and 'be used to + -ing' for already adjusted.
- You can describe how a routine changed and what actually made it stick.