accustomed to playing

USAGE SUMMARY

"accustomed to playing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express when someone is familiar with an activity or habit through extensive experience. For example, "He was accustomed to playing soccer every day after school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Polansky became accustomed to playing without lets.

The New York Times - Sports

We'd been accustomed to playing to win.

Independent

Bertice wasn't accustomed to playing the Wicked Witch.

Harvard Business Review

Wilson is accustomed to playing the underdog role.

The New York Times - Sports

He has become accustomed to playing patched up.

The Guardian - Sport

Americans are not accustomed to playing alternate shots.

The Guardian - Sport

He became accustomed to playing to audiences of six people with their arms folded.

The New York Times - Magazine

King is more accustomed to playing on Shvedova's side of the court.

The New York Times

The Flyers have become accustomed to playing without their snarling defenseman.

The New York Times - Sports

It is more accustomed to playing host to legions of worse-for-wear football fans.

Independent

Defense is not a position that House Republicans of the 112th Congress are accustomed to playing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "accustomed to playing" when you want to emphasize that someone has become familiar and comfortable with an activity through repeated experience.

Common error

Avoid replacing "to" with other prepositions like "with" or omitting it altogether. The correct form is "accustomed to playing."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accustomed to playing" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, describing a state of familiarity or habituation with an activity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "accustomed to playing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes familiarity and comfort with an activity developed through experience. Ludwig AI validates its usage, supported by numerous examples from authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Washington Post. It is versatile enough for use in news media, general writing, and professional contexts, though mainly found in news sources. Remember to use "to" as a preposition when using it. Alternatives include "used to playing" and "familiar with playing". As confirmed by Ludwig, "accustomed to playing" is a reliable way to convey the idea of someone being well-versed in a particular activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

used to playing

Replaces "accustomed" with "used", indicating a past habit or familiarity. Slightly less formal.

familiar with playing

Emphasizes knowledge and ease with the activity, rather than habit. Focus shifts from routine to expertise.

in the habit of playing

Highlights the habitual nature of the activity. Adds emphasis on the routine.

comfortable playing

Indicates ease and lack of discomfort when performing the activity. Focuses on the feeling of ease.

at ease playing

Similar to 'comfortable playing', this emphasizes the feeling of being relaxed and natural while playing.

well-versed in playing

Highlights the expertise and knowledge related to playing. Conveys a deeper level of understanding.

experienced in playing

Focuses on the gained knowledge from practical experience in playing.

habituated to playing

A more formal synonym emphasizing the developed habit. Less common than "used to".

adapted to playing

Focuses on the process of adjusting and becoming suitable for playing.

prone to playing

Indicates a tendency or inclination towards playing. Shifts the focus to likelihood.

FAQs

How can I use "accustomed to playing" in a sentence?

You can use "accustomed to playing" to describe someone who is familiar or comfortable with a particular activity due to repeated experience. For example, "She is accustomed to playing in front of large crowds."

What are some alternatives to "accustomed to playing"?

Alternatives include "used to playing", "familiar with playing", or "comfortable playing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "accustomed to play" instead of "accustomed to playing"?

No, "accustomed to play" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "accustomed to playing" because "to" functions as a preposition followed by a gerund (playing).

What is the difference between "accustomed to playing" and "getting used to playing"?

"Accustomed to playing" implies a state of being familiar and comfortable with an activity. "Getting used to playing" suggests a process of becoming familiar and comfortable. The first emphasizes the result, the latter the adaptation.