adopt a habit

USAGE SUMMARY

"adopt a habit" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a long-term change someone should make in their life, such as forming a new routine or lifestyle. For example, "If you want to live a healthier life, try to adopt a habit of eating more fruits and vegetables."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

They have adopted a habit of starting games with little energy, as if they have just awakened from a deep sleep.

The New York Times - Sports

We propose to meet this challenge by adopting a habit of systematic testing of experimental design, analysis procedures, and statistical inference.

NeuroImage

He adopted a habit of calling everyone he knew, especially stars and people in the public eye, and asking them to come by, promising them star treatment, a table and cocktails for "you and your friends".

Vice

The authors showed that where people adopt a regular habit of looking at energy monitors on a daily basis, they exhibit larger savings over time compared with others.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

And my children, surely, they'd not adopt a tea habit.

Huffington Post

It may be much lower or even adopt a prostrate habit in highly exposed areas which are blasted by high wind, or occasionally grow as a single-trunked tree.

Wikipedia

It's counterintuitive, but I've found that when I'm trying to get myself to adopt a new habit, it helps me to do that thing every day, instead of most days -- which would seem easier.

Huffington Post

They should be allowed to make use of health care (and incur costs) in a screening programme without having to have a DNA test first, because the health-care costs of people who adopt an unhealthy habit or lifestyle are also covered by Dutch health insurance companies.

European Journal of Human Genetics

Every day of delay allows the tobacco industry to tempt more young people into adopting a deadly habit," he said.

The Guardian

For the Lenten season, Alexi had adopted a new habit: praying morning office — a liturgical ritual that varies according to the calendar — with the help of a smartphone app, as he walked to work.

The New Yorker

A friend complained that her boyfriend has adopted a maddening habit of sometimes answering her specific questions with "." It's an evasion, albeit a friendly one.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When encouraging someone to improve their lifestyle, use "adopt a habit" to suggest integrating a beneficial behavior into their routine for long-term gains.

Common error

Be careful not to use "adopt a habit" when discussing negative or compulsive behaviors. "Habit" generally implies a neutral or positive routine, while "addiction" denotes a harmful dependence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adopt a habit" functions as a verb phrase indicating the beginning or incorporation of a new, recurring behavior or practice. This is supported by Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable in written English, and is exemplified in the Ludwig examples, which show contexts involving conscious efforts to begin new routines.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "adopt a habit" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that encourages the start of a new behavior or routine. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for a range of contexts, from personal development to lifestyle advice. While commonly used across diverse sources like News & Media, Science, and Wiki, the expert analysis shows how it maintains a neutral register suitable for formal, professional, and informal communication. Remember that while "adopt a habit" emphasizes positive change, it's important to differentiate it from negative compulsions such as “addictions.”

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop a habit

Focuses on the process of gradual growth into a regular behavior, differing from a more immediate adoption.

form a habit

Emphasizes the creation of a new habitual behavior, implying a more deliberate effort.

cultivate a habit

Suggests a more intentional and nurturing approach to establishing a behavior.

pick up a habit

Implies acquiring a habit, often unintentionally or casually.

get into the habit

Highlights the process of becoming accustomed to a particular behavior.

fall into a habit

Suggests unintentionally developing a routine or behavior.

ingrain a habit

Focuses on establishing a habit so firmly that it becomes an intrinsic part of one's behavior.

establish a routine

Shifts the focus towards creating a structured sequence of actions.

embrace a practice

Implies a more conscious and positive acceptance of a specific activity or behavior.

begin a tradition

Conveys the start of a customary practice that is passed on or repeated regularly.

FAQs

How can I use "adopt a habit" in a sentence?

You can use "adopt a habit" to suggest starting a new, regular behavior. For instance, "To improve your health, try to "develop a habit" of daily exercise".

What are some alternatives to "adopt a habit"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "form a habit", "cultivate a habit", or "establish a routine" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "adopted a habit" or should I use a different tense?

Both "adopt a habit" and "adopted a habit" are correct, but they have different meanings. "Adopt a habit" is in the infinitive form, suggesting a future action, while "adopted a habit" is in the past tense, indicating that the action has already occurred.

What's the difference between "adopt a habit" and "break a habit"?

"Adopt a habit" means to start doing something regularly, while "break a habit" means to stop doing something that you do regularly. They are opposite actions related to behavioral patterns.