be accustomed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be accustomed to" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used when talking about developing familiarity or comfort with an activity or circumstance, often through regular practice or experience. For example, "I'm getting accustomed to working from home now that I'm doing it more often."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But I'll never be accustomed to it".

The New York Times - Sports

You have to be accustomed to losing to buy that.

The New York Times

By now, M.I.A. should be accustomed to this outcome.

The New Yorker

"It already took years for the visitors to be accustomed to us in Chelsea".

The New York Times

Go!" The driver and the conductor seemed to be accustomed to such scenes.

The New York Times

But, frankly, Delta customers should be accustomed to the bare minimum.

The New York Times

It's a different, more inviting kind of loudness than Health fans will be accustomed to.

The New Yorker

Kiwis may not be accustomed to violent crime, but they have a knack for improvising solutions.

The New Yorker

"You see one race, and you're going to be accustomed to one race".

The New York Times

Men like these might reasonably be accustomed to doing things in a certain way.

The Guardian - Sport

The British may be accustomed to waiting for hip replacements, but Americans do not like rationing.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add nuance, specify the time frame or conditions under which someone becomes accustomed to something, like "After a few weeks, they will be accustomed to the new routine."

Common error

Avoid using "be accustomed to" interchangeably with "used to" without considering the context. "Used to" often refers to past habits, whereas "be accustomed to" denotes a current state of familiarity or adaptation.

How to use

Learn how to use "be accustomed to" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be accustomed to" functions primarily as an adjective phrase describing a state of familiarity or adaptation. It commonly modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that someone or something has become used to a particular situation, environment, or activity. Ludwig AI provides various examples showing this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be accustomed to" is a versatile expression used to indicate familiarity or adaptation to a particular situation, environment, or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It functions as an adjective phrase with a neutral to formal tone. Usage is very common, especially in News & Media and Science. When writing, remember to align the subject logically with the object and consider the temporal aspect of adaptation. Be careful not to confuse it with "used to", which denotes a past habit. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "be accustomed to" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be used to

Indicates a state of being familiar with something through experience, very similar in meaning and usage.

get used to

Indicates the action of becoming familiar or comfortable with something.

be familiar with

Implies having knowledge or experience of something, showing a close relationship with the original phrase.

become familiar with

Signifies the process of gaining knowledge or experience with something.

be habituated to

Suggests a developed habit or adaptation, focusing more on the habitual aspect.

be inured to

Highlights a process of becoming hardened or less affected by something unpleasant.

grow accustomed to

Emphasizes the gradual process of becoming used to something over time.

be no stranger to

Indicates that someone has experience with something and is not new to it.

get the hang of

Means learning how to do something effectively, focusing on skill acquisition.

be versed in

Implies having expertise or knowledge about a specific subject or activity.

FAQs

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

You can use "be accustomed to" to describe a state of familiarity with something. For example, "She is accustomed to the fast pace of city life."

What phrases can I use instead of "be accustomed to"?

You can use alternatives like "be used to", "be familiar with", or "be habituated to" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "be accustomed to" and "used to"?

"Be accustomed to" describes a current state of being familiar with something, while "used to" typically refers to past habits or situations that are no longer true. Consider the examples: "I am accustomed to waking up early" vs "I used to wake up early (but I don't anymore)".

Is it correct to say "been accustomed to"?

Yes, "been accustomed to" is grammatically correct. It is the past participle form and can be used in perfect tenses, for instance: "They have been accustomed to luxury since childhood".