not custom to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not custom to" is not grammatically correct or commonly used in written English.
Instead, you can use "not accustomed to" or "not used to." Here is an example of a sentence using "not accustomed to:" I recently moved to a new country and I am not accustomed to the local customs. Or, if using "not used to:" I've always lived in the city, so I am not used to the quiet of the countryside.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Our experienced civil engineering contractor Synergy Civil Engineering Ltd subcontracted the blasting element to CS Drilling Services Ltd and they have confirmed that it is not custom to notify a local authority when conducting such operations.

BBC

This seems to reflect that in first social encounters it is not custom to share negative emotions with others (Altman and Taylor 1973).

Cognitive Therapy and Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

2. The "earmold" are not custom made to fit your ear.

Huffington Post

Not all their contributions are known, because until the mid- to late 20th century it was not the custom to sign articles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is not our custom to kill women and children.

The Guardian

Judge Mukasey, visibly irritated, said that it was not his custom to deliver lectures when he handed out sentences, but in light of Sister Ping's "lengthy exercise in self-justification" he would make an exception.

The New Yorker

Her guests have become part of the family, and although it is not their custom to celebrate Christmas, she still gives them a stocking of mostly socks and vests.

The Guardian

The university said it "has not been custom" to reappoint its chancellor.

BBC

However, it is not the custom to offer betel-quid to guests among Hans people in Taiwan, although cigarettes may be offered at these occasions.

BMC Public Health

Combining top sites for each, they say, should result in a course that is as good as the far more costly approach taken by Coursera, edX and others, albeit a less polished experience, where the pieces are not custom-created to fit together neatly.

The New York Times

The approach is quite general and is not custom-tailored to a specific data modality such as transcriptomics data.

BMC Systems Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "not custom to" in formal writing. Instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "not accustomed to" or "not used to".

Common error

Many writers mistakenly use "custom" when they mean "accustomed". Remember that "custom" refers to a tradition or practice, while "accustomed" means being used to something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not custom to" functions as an attempt to express unfamiliarity or lack of habit, though it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates it should be replaced with alternatives like "not accustomed to" or "not used to".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "not custom to" attempts to convey unfamiliarity or a deviation from typical practice, it is grammatically incorrect. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the preferred alternatives are "not accustomed to" or "not used to". Although examples can be found across various sources, including news and scientific publications, its incorrect usage makes it unsuitable for formal writing. When aiming for clarity and correctness, it's best to opt for the suggested alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not accustomed to

Replaces "custom" with "accustomed", offering a grammatically correct and more common way to express unfamiliarity.

not used to

A more informal and widely accepted alternative that conveys the same meaning of unfamiliarity or lack of habit.

uncommon to

Emphasizes the rarity or infrequency of something, instead of unfamiliarity.

not typical of

Highlights that something deviates from the norm or expected behavior.

atypical for

Focuses on the deviation from the expected standard or representation.

contrary to usual

Highlights a direct opposition to what is generally practiced or accepted.

not in the habit of

Focuses specifically on the absence of a routine or practice.

deviates from the norm

Emphasizes a departure from the standard or expected behavior or practice.

not standard practice for

Highlights that a particular action or behavior is outside of established protocols or conventions.

unconventional for

Focuses on the lack of adherence to established conventions or norms.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say something is not a common practice?

Instead of saying "not custom to", use phrases like "not accustomed to" or "not used to" for grammatical accuracy.

Is "not custom to" grammatically correct?

No, "not custom to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use "not accustomed to" or "not used to".

How can I replace "not custom to" in a sentence?

You can replace "not custom to" with alternatives such as "uncommon to", "not typical of", or "atypical for" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "not custom to" and "not accustomed to"?

"Not custom to" is considered grammatically incorrect, while "not accustomed to" is the correct and widely accepted phrase to indicate unfamiliarity with something.