habit

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'habit' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a regular tendency or practice, either good or bad. For example: "I'm trying to develop the habit of exercising every morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Education

Books

TV & Radio

Business

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People who worked 49-54 hours a week ran a 13% higher risk of developing a "risky alcohol use" habit compared to counterparts who worked a 35-40-hour 35-40-hour 35-40-hour work week

The Guardian

The increased risk of developing a "risky" drinking habit from over-work was small in absolute terms, Okechukwu said.

The Guardian

We are creatures of habit, particularly when it comes to the bad ones, and struggle to adjust when called upon to expand beyond behavioural settings hardwired in our youth.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Many schools hope to thwart the decades-long habit of rolling up the waistband of skirts by looking for new styles that can't be "customised".

The Guardian

Even his jokes had a habit of sounding like pomposity or bad temper to those who did not know him.

The Guardian

The result was him kicking his 35-year hash habit, then emailing members of Madness saying he thinks he wants to quit, despite looming December tour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Like insurance companies and tampons, unions have got into a daft habit of acquiring meaningless names.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many of we foreign reporters in the weeks before September 1973 had got into the habit of gathering in the snug downstairs bar of the Carrera hotel – across the square from Allende's sober and unadorned presidential palace, the Moneda – where many of us were staying.

The Guardian

The point is, July and August have a habit of distilling the wheat from the chaff; these months demand that you maintain, or improve, you standards, else you'll be banished to the naughty corner or a fate even worse (like an elimination final).

The Guardian - Sport

What do you say to those non-smokers who are particularly sanctimonious about your habit?

The Guardian - Arts

We're certainly going to stop charging things overnight, as they just don't need to be on all night – I'm trying to persuade my husband to stop doing that so we can all get out of the habit.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a "habit", be specific about whether it is beneficial or detrimental to provide clear context.

Common error

Avoid assuming that all "habits" have the same impact; specify the scale of their influence whether significant or minor.

Linguistic Context

The word "habit" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up. It can also describe a garment, particularly one worn by members of a religious order. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Lifestyle

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Education

10%

Books

8%

TV & Radio

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "habit" is a common noun used to describe a recurring behavior or practice, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its grammatical correctness and high frequency across diverse contexts, including news, lifestyle, and sports, make it a versatile term. While generally neutral in register, the impact of a "habit" (positive or negative) should be clearly specified to avoid overgeneralizations. To diversify writing, related phrases like "routine", "practice", and "tendency" can be used. The authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times often employ "habit" in their reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

usual practice

Emphasizes the common and expected nature of the action.

regular routine

Focuses on the consistent and repeated nature of the actions.

ingrained behavior

Highlights the deeply rooted and automatic nature of the behavior.

established pattern

Stresses the structured and predictable nature of the behavior.

customary practice

Emphasizes the traditional or widely accepted nature of the routine.

typical tendency

Highlights the predictable inclination to behave in a certain way.

second nature

Suggests the action is effortless and automatic.

fixed ritual

Implies a more formalized and symbolic aspect of the routine.

daily grind

Focuses on the monotonous and repetitive nature of a daily habit.

acquired taste

Suggests that the preference or habit has been developed over time.

FAQs

How can I use "habit" in a sentence?

You can use "habit" to describe a recurring behavior, such as "He has a "bad habit" of biting his nails" or "She developed a "good habit" of exercising daily".

What are some alternatives to the word "habit"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "routine", "practice", "custom", or "tendency".

Is it correct to say "a habit that I have" or "a habit I have"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. The inclusion of "that I have" provides additional emphasis, but it is not necessary. "A "habit I have"" is perfectly acceptable and more concise.

What's the difference between "habit" and "addiction"?

"Habit" refers to a repeated behavior, while "addiction" implies a compulsive behavior that is difficult to stop and often has negative consequences. An "addiction" is a stronger, more problematic form of a habit.