Is it the same?

[Batman]

Hi everybody! Do the expressions:" I am used to...." and " I am in the habit" mean the same? Are these expr. always followed by gerund?

Many thanks

Batman

[Alan]

Hi Batman,

These two constructions are not exactly the same. Let me give you two sentences:

I am used to travelling a long distance to work and so it is not a problem for me because it is something I do every day.

I am in the habit of drinking six cups of coffee a day as this is something I do regularly and I do this automatically.

In other words 'used to doing' means it is not something difficult to do because I know what it is like to do it.
'In the habit of doing' means something I do without thinking about it because it is part of my routine.

Both constructions are followed by the 'ing' form of the verb.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story A spring in your step

[Batman]

Hi Alan! Thank you.
Batman