Now, I am used … bread without butter

Analyze the question: The sentence is "Now, I am used ____ bread without butter." We need the correct word or phrase to follow "used" so the sentence is grammatically correct.

Explain the concept: English has two similar-looking structures:

1. used to + base verb describes a past habit, as in "I used to eat bread without butter" (I did it in the past, but not now).
2. be/get used to + noun or -ing form means "be accustomed to," as in "I am used to eating bread without butter."

In the second structure, to is a preposition, so it must be followed by a noun or a gerund (the -ing form), never the base verb.

Step-by-step solution:

• The sentence has "I am used...", so it uses the structure be used to, meaning "accustomed to."
• The word "Now" supports this, since it shows the person has become accustomed to something that was once unusual.
• Because to is a preposition here, we need the -ing form: eating.

Checking the options:

• A. to eat is wrong because the base verb cannot follow "be used to."
• B. in eating is wrong because "used in" does not mean "accustomed to."
• C. of eating is wrong because "used of" is not idiomatic here.
• D. to eating is correct and gives "I am used to eating bread without butter."

Answer: D

Tip: Use the "noun test." After "be used to" or "get used to," you can put a noun, such as "I am used to the cold," so you can also use an -ing word, "I am used to waking early." If the sentence is "used to" with no "am/is/are/get," it is a past habit and takes the base verb.