Constructions

Fixed frames that lift your level at once — you use them whole, not built from scratch.

I used to

B1used to + base verb

A past habit or state that's no longer true — something that once was, but isn't anymore.

Examples

I used to smoke, but I quit.
PLKiedyś paliłem, ale rzuciłem.
There used to be a cinema here.
PLKiedyś było tu kino.
Did you use to play sports?
PLCzy kiedyś uprawiałeś sport?

Common mistake

I used to playing tennis.I used to play tennis.

After „used to” comes the base verb (play), not the -ing form. The -ing belongs to „be used to” — a different construction.

Compare: I'm used to →

I'm used to

B2be used to + noun / -ing

Something familiar or normal to you — you're accustomed to it. „used to” here is followed by a noun or an -ing verb.

Examples

I'm used to the noise now.
PLPrzywykłem już do hałasu.
She's used to working late.
PLPrzywykła do pracy do późna.
We're not used to the cold.
PLNie przywykliśmy do zimna.

Common mistake

I'm used to work late.I'm used to working late.

„be used to” takes a noun or an -ing form: „used to working”, not „used to work”. The bare infinitive belongs to past-habit „used to”.

Get used to

B2get used to + noun / -ing

The process of becoming accustomed — moving from „strange” to „normal”. It's „be used to” in motion.

Examples

You'll get used to it.
PLPrzyzwyczaisz się do tego.
I'm getting used to the new job.
PLPrzyzwyczajam się do nowej pracy.
It takes time to get used to driving on the left.
PLTrochę czasu zajmuje przyzwyczajenie się do jazdy po lewej stronie.

I'd rather

B1would rather + base verb

Says what you'd prefer right now — stronger and more natural than „I prefer”. „would rather” takes the bare infinitive, no „to”.

Examples

I'd rather stay home tonight.
PLWolałbym zostać dziś w domu.
I'd rather not talk about it.
PLWolałbym o tym nie rozmawiać.
I'd rather have tea than coffee.
PLWolę herbatę niż kawę.

Common mistake

I'd rather to go home.I'd rather go home.

After „would rather” the verb takes no „to”: „I'd rather go”, not „I'd rather to go”.

Modal „would” — grammar →

The more… the more

B2the + comparative …, the + comparative …

Two things change together — one rises, the other follows. Each half opens with „the” plus a comparative.

Examples

The more you practise, the better you get.
PLIm więcej ćwiczysz, tym lepiej ci idzie.
The less I sleep, the worse I feel.
PLIm mniej śpię, tym gorzej się czuję.
The sooner, the better.
PLIm wcześniej, tym lepiej.

Common mistake

More you practise, better you get.The more you practise, the better you get.

Both halves need „the”: „The more…, the better…”. Dropping „the” is a common slip.

Comparatives — grammar →

I wish

B2wish + past simple / past perfect

You regret that something is (or was) different. For the present — past simple after „wish”; for the past — past perfect.

Examples

I wish I knew the answer.
PLSzkoda, że nie znam odpowiedzi.
I wish I had studied more.
PLŻałuję, że nie uczyłem się więcej.
I wish you were here.
PLSzkoda, że cię tu nie ma.

Common mistake

I wish I know the answer.I wish I knew the answer.

After „wish” about the present comes the past tense: „I wish I knew”, not „I wish I know” — even though it's about now.

Grammar: I wish / if only →

I'd better

B1had better + base verb

Strong advice or a warning — „you'd better do it, or else…”. Stronger than „should”. „had better” takes the bare infinitive.

Examples

You'd better hurry, the train leaves soon.
PLLepiej się pospiesz, pociąg zaraz odjeżdża.
We'd better not be late.
PLLepiej się nie spóźnijmy.
I'd better get going.
PLLepiej już pójdę.

Common mistake

You'd better to go now.You'd better go now.

After „had better” the verb takes no „to”: „You'd better go”, not „You'd better to go”.

Modal „should” — advice grammar →