Question

Choose the most suitable option to replace the highlighted part of the sentence: I am used to get up early in the morning.

• A. to get up early
• B. with getting up early
• C. to getting up early
• D. for getting up early

Answer 1

Answer:

C. to getting up early

This question tests a very common and highly confusing grammatical structure involving the phrase "used to" and whether it should be followed by an infinitive verb (get) or a gerund (getting).

• The Rule of "Be + used to":

  When the phrase "used to" is preceded by a form of the "be" verb (am, is, are, was, were), it means "accustomed to" or "in the habit of." In this specific construction, the word "to" functions as a preposition, not as part of an infinitive verb. Since prepositions must always be followed by a noun, pronoun, or a gerund (a verb ending in -ing that acts as a noun), you must use getting.

  • Structure: $\text{Subject} + \text{be (am/is/are)} + \text{used to} + \text{Gerund (V + ing)}$

  • Example: I am used to getting up early.

• Contrast with "Used to + Bare Verb":

  Do not confuse this with the structure without the "be" verb, which is used to talk about past habits that are no longer true.

  • Structure: $\text{Subject} + \text{used to} + \text{Base Verb}$

  • Example: I used to get up early (meaning: I did it in the past, but I don't anymore).

• Why Other Options are Incorrect: