accustom oneself to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accustom oneself to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the process of becoming familiar with or used to something over time. Example: "After moving to a new city, it took me a while to accustom myself to the different climate and lifestyle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

One has to accustom oneself to the minute variations in the texture of the pulse as each eight-bar section adds or subtracts something from the charging rhythm in many of these pieces.

The New York Times - Arts

To combat some individual bad habit, one should practice the opposite behavior: for instance, if one is quick tempered, one should accustom oneself to bearing insults with patience (3.12.6 12).

SEP

Teammate Jonas Olsson suggested that it took at least a season to accustom oneself to English football, especially for someone who spoke little English when he first arrived.

Wikipedia

Although it is hard to accustom oneself to such an absurdity, the truth is that I have learned to live on my island prison.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I knew how eventually one accustoms oneself to the physical world's lack of sympathy: the buses that still run on time, the kids who still play in the street, the clocks that won't stop ticking for the person who's gone.

The New Yorker

We confine oneself to the case (i=1).

Boundary Value Problems

To commit oneself to anything is also always to commit oneself to the value of freedom.

SEP

Why subject oneself to bigoted, prejudiced imagery?

Vice

9 To care for oneself is to help oneself to grow and to change.

Clinical interventions in aging

Accustom students to good writing practices.

University of Chicago

They accustom girls to drudgery.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase when you want to convey a sense of gradual or deliberate effort in adapting to a new situation.

Common error

Avoid using the preposition "with" after "accustom oneself". While you might "familiarize oneself with" something, you must always "accustom oneself to" something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accustom oneself to" functions as a reflexive phrasal-prepositional verb. According to Ludwig, it describes the process where a subject performs an action upon themselves to reach a state of habituation. The presence of the reflexive pronoun is mandatory to maintain the active sense of self-adaptation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "accustom oneself to" is a sophisticated and grammatically precise phrase used to describe the process of becoming familiar with something new. Ludwig AI confirms its validity through high-quality examples in prestigious outlets such as The New York Times and The New Yorker. While it is less common in casual speech than alternatives like "get used to", it remains a vital tool for formal writing. Key takeaways include the necessity of the reflexive pronoun and the mandatory use of the preposition "to" rather than "with". Use this phrase when you want to emphasize a subject's active role in adapting to change or overcoming initial discomfort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become accustomed to

Uses the passive form to describe the state of being used to something rather than the active process

get used to

Offers a much more common and informal alternative suitable for everyday speech

habituate oneself to

Carries a more scientific or psychological connotation regarding the formation of habits

acclimatize oneself to

Specific to adjusting to new environmental conditions, climates or altitudes

adapt to

A broader term that implies changing one's behavior or nature to fit new circumstances

adjust to

Suggests making minor changes to achieve a better fit or state of comfort

familiarize oneself with

Focuses more on gaining knowledge or understanding of a topic rather than physical or emotional comfort

condition oneself to

Implies a more rigorous or deliberate training process to accept or react to a stimulus

reconcile oneself to

Suggests accepting a situation that is unpleasant or inevitable

inure oneself to

Specifically refers to becoming toughened or desensitized to something unpleasant like pain or hardship

FAQs

How do I use "accustom oneself to" in a sentence?

You use it by placing a reflexive pronoun after the verb and followed by the preposition "to". For example: "It took months for the team to "accustom themselves to" the new software."

What is the difference between "accustom oneself to" and "get used to"?

While both mean to become familiar with something, "accustom oneself to" is more formal and literary, whereas "get used to" is the standard choice for casual conversation and general writing.

Is it "accustom oneself to" or "accustom oneself with"?

The correct idiom is always "accustom oneself to". Using "with" is a common error often caused by confusion with the phrase "familiarize oneself with".

Can I use "acclimatize" instead of "accustom oneself to"?

Yes, but usually only if you are referring to physical environments or weather. For example, you would "acclimatize to" a mountain climate, but you would "accustom oneself to" a new work schedule.