Swiss Jake  +  687354 Mon, 16 Mar 09 03:32 PM Hello teachers, I am writing on a paper and have gotten stuck at one sentence: Performing these exercises teaches me a lot about myself. In this way I have realized, that I have never been used to/am not used to really be working/work/working on something and stick/sticking to one task for a longer amount of time. How can this sentence be completed correctly? Which is the best form? Is a total rephrasing required? Thanks ever so much, Jake Swiss Jake Joined on Fri, Dec 30 2005 Full Member 196 Please, correct my mistakes in my posts. Thank you! "The only real mistake is the one from which you learn nothing." -- John Powell Sentences

	Goodman  +  687364 Mon, 16 Mar 09 04:02 PM "Be used to" is an idiomatic expression meaning "accustomed to". Based on the text given, my ears didn't feel comfortable "a longer amount of time" and so to word it correctly, it would look something like this: " I have never been really used to working on something and sticking with it. Goodman Joined on Mon, Nov 7 2005 Senior Member 3,816 The name says it all!

	CalifJim  +  687427 Mon, 16 Mar 09 07:46 PM Here's how I might say it.  I don't think I'd consider it a total rephrasing, no! Performing these exercises has taught me a lot about myself.  In doing them I have realized that I have never been used to working on a task and sticking to it for a long (period of) time. As Goodman says, you can also use ... sticking with it ... CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,465 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

	Damir  +  687436 Mon, 16 Mar 09 08:18 PM Goodman “"Be used to" is an idiomatic expression meaning "accustomed to". Based on the text given, my ears didn't feel comfortable "a longer amount of time" and so to word it correctly, it would look something like this: " I have never been really used to working on something and sticking with it. ” I've learned that with "to" must go infinitive. "I have never been really used to work/working on something and stick/sticking with it. Why here goes to + ing??? Damir Joined on Sun, Apr 13 2008 Croatia Junior Member 62 Please, feel free to correct mistakes that I make in my posts. Thanks!

	CalifJim  +  687437 Mon, 16 Mar 09 08:21 PM DamirK, For some of the cases where to is followed by a verb with the -ing ending, see Re: 'To' + 'ing'. CJ CalifJim

	Goodman  +  687452 Mon, 16 Mar 09 09:16 PM There are certain English patterns where gerunds ("verb+ing" forms) are required. Here are few examples: His retirement life is dedicated to helping other elderly in needed. I am looking forward to spending a week in Hawaii. I am used to taking the train because I can take a nap or do my work on my computer. It's very difficult to adpat to thinking in English. Goodman Gerunds, Countries, United States, United Kingdom, Great Britain, Languages