"You are used to" vs. "you used to use"

Question

I'm currently reading some boring programming book and have found this phrase:

If you are used to C and printf(), you might think cout looks odd.

If I wrote this phrase (supposing I understand it correctly) I would say:

If you used to use C and ...

without are and with additional use.

So the question is: why was it written in that way? Is it a short way of writing “used to use” or am I missing something?

score 10 · Accepted Answer · answered May 06 '12 at 10:39

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In the first sentence, If you are used to means 'If you are familiar with'. In the second, If you used to use means 'If you were in the habit of using in the past'.

answered May 06 '12 at 10:39

Barrie England

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Oh, right. Shame on me, just learnt it few days ago – zerkms May 06 '12 at 10:44

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited Jan 04 '19 at 12:21

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Used to + verb means explaining something about the past:

I used to go to the gym, but now I've no time to do it.

Be used to + noun means explaining something that you are familiar with:

I am used to loud music because I was in a rock band.
I am used to working till late.

edited Jan 04 '19 at 12:21

Chappo Hasn't Forgotten

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answered Jan 04 '19 at 08:41

Burak

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Hi Burak, welcome to EL&U. This is a useful contribution, but I've edited your answer to correct the errors in English expression. Note that while we're tolerant of such errors in a question, we expect answers on this site to be authoritative and correct; ambiguous, poorly expressed or inaccurate answers tend to be downvoted. You might like to read our guidance on [answer] and take the EL&U [Tour]. :-) – Chappo Hasn't Forgotten Jan 04 '19 at 12:27

"You are used to" vs. "you used to use"

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