Used to/to be used to
Dear Dr English,
Could you explain the difference between the following two sentences?
I used to do my grocery shopping at that supermarket.
I am used to doing my grocery shopping at that supermarket.
I remember from my school days that they are different but don't remember how. Thank you very much.
Supawadee Uusakun
When you used to do something, you did it in the past and that activity is not continued at present.
When I was young I used to skip breakfast for fear of gaining weight but now I have breakfast every day.
Compare the above sentence with the following:
I am used to skipping breakfast; I have done it all my life.
Peter is used to the local customs; he has been living here for ten years.
The first sentence shows that the subject does not continue the action. It is something the person did in the past only. The latter examples explain that the person is familiar with the action. You can also use this structure to show that one is familiar with a person.
We are used to Mr Wilson; he is one of our oldest employees.
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What does 'retro' mean?
Dear Dr English,
Please explain the meaning of ÒretroÓ as in, ÒShe initially bought vintage clothes, carefully unstitching and redesigning them to create new outfits. Then she moved on to her own retro-designs.ÓThanks in advance.
Mana Mungkijkasem
ÒRetro-Ó, when used as a prefix, means backward, back or situated behind, as in retro-position. The prefix comes from a Latin prefix retro-. ÒRetroÓ can also be used to modify a noun.
In this structure, it means involving, relating to, or reminiscent of the past, if itÕs used to describe fashion, clothes or music. It tells us that the fashion, clothes etc. are similar to styles from the past. The word Òretro-designsÓ from the excerpt of an article from which you have taken refers to the designs of clothes similar to or reminiscent of the designs in the past.
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