habituated to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "habituated to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has become accustomed or used to a particular situation or behavior. Example: "After living in the city for several years, she became habituated to the constant noise and activity around her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The United States has become habituated to low oil prices.

The New York Times

"But that's just it, we're habituated to it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The Pakistani military establishment has become habituated to using proxies".

The New York Times

In two months, I became habituated to the drug and its effect began to diminish.

The New York Times - Health

Is it possible for all of us to become habituated to the horrific?

The New York Times - Health

It turns out, he said, that you get habituated to two of caffeine's effects right away.

The New York Times - Health

Today's audience is habituated to electric guitars, synthesizers, heavy drums and bass, and surround-sound acoustics.

The New York Times

The guides clearly like the gorillas, who have been habituated to human contact.

The New York Times

The problem for Trump, politically speaking, is that American consumers are deeply habituated to low prices.

The New Yorker

Wells started to experiment with chloroform and became habituated to it.

The New York Times - Books

Infants were habituated to an experimenter in a short wig.

Cognition

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "habituated to" when you want to emphasize the process of becoming accustomed to something, often implying a change in behavior or perspective over time. It's suitable for describing both people and animals adapting to new environments or routines.

Common error

Avoid using "habituated to" when you actually mean "addicted to". "Habituated to" implies becoming used to something, while "addicted to" indicates a compulsive need or dependence, often with negative consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "habituated to" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of being accustomed or familiar with something. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples showing its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "habituated to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes the process of becoming accustomed to something. As shown by Ludwig AI, it is commonly found in scientific and news contexts. While it is generally considered neutral in register, simpler alternatives like "used to" may be more appropriate for informal settings. Remember to distinguish between "habituated to" and "addicted to", and use "habituated to" to indicate a process of familiarization rather than dependence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Accustomed to

Indicates a state of being familiar with something, similar to "habituated to" but can imply a less ingrained or involuntary process.

Grown accustomed to

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

Used to

A more common and informal alternative, suggesting familiarity and comfort with something over time.

Become familiar with

Highlights the process of getting acquainted with something or someone new.

Adapted to

Implies a process of change to better suit the environment or conditions, carrying a stronger connotation of active adjustment.

Familiar with

Focuses on knowledge and understanding rather than a change in behavior or preference.

Conditioned to

Suggests a learned response through training or repeated exposure, implying a stronger influence.

Inured to

Implies a desensitization to something unpleasant or painful, suggesting a tolerance built through negative experience.

Acclimated to

Specifically refers to adjusting to a new climate or environment, indicating an active process of physical adaptation.

Settled into

Indicates a comfortable adaptation to a new routine or situation, implying a sense of ease and belonging.

FAQs

How can I use "habituated to" in a sentence?

You can use "habituated to" to describe someone or something that has become accustomed to a particular environment or situation. For example, "The animals were "habituated to" human presence."

What's the difference between "used to" and "habituated to"?

While both phrases indicate familiarity, "used to" is more general. "Habituated to" often implies a process of becoming accustomed to something new or different.

Are there more formal alternatives to "habituated to"?

Yes, you could use "accustomed to" or "adapted to" in more formal contexts, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Can "habituated to" be used to describe a negative situation?

Yes, it can. For example, "They became "habituated to" the constant noise of the city", even though the noise might be unpleasant.