Exercise 5b.
The difference between the structures lies in their meaning and tense:
- 'I used to live alone': This structure uses the past simple tense 'used to' followed by the base form of the verb. It indicates a habit or state that was true in the past but is no longer true in the present. In this case, the person no longer lives alone.
- 'I am used to living with my parents': This structure uses 'be used to' followed by a gerund (-ing form of the verb). It indicates that someone has become accustomed to a situation or habit, and it is now normal for them. This refers to a current state of adaptation.
In summary, 'used to + base verb' refers to a past habit, while 'be used to + -ing' refers to current adaptation or familiarity.