Learn English – didn’t use to vs are not used to

tense

Can I use this both forms interchangeably:

  1. People who didn't use to (such abbreviations)…
  2. People who are not used to (such abbreviations)…

I don't really feel /see the difference between these forms. For me the first sentence would be more natural, but in the text I was reading, the second form was used and it drew my attention.

What would be the difference between them?

Thanks.

Best Answer

The expression is "be used to*".

If you are used to something, you are accustomed to it – you don’t find it unusual. If you get used to something or you are getting used to something you are becoming accustomed to it – it was strange, now it’s not so strange. (LearnEnglish - British Council)

Both ‘be used to’ and ‘get used to’ are followed by a noun (or pronoun) or the gerund – the ‘ing’ form of a verb

This concerns your second example, which is correct and appropriate:

  • People who are not used to such abbreviations. (Correct)

The first sentence is incorrect grammatically since "didn't use to" is applied incorrectly in the sentence.

We use ‘used to’ to talk about things that happened in the past – actions or states – that no longer happen now.

The negative is ‘didn’t use to’ and questions are formed with ‘Did you use to …?

  • People who didn't use to such abbreviations. (Incorrect)
  • People who didn't use to understand such abbreviations. (Correct)
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