unaccustomed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unaccustomed to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is not familiar or used to a particular situation or condition. Example: "After moving to the city, she felt unaccustomed to the fast-paced lifestyle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He seemed unaccustomed to speech.

The New Yorker

It is also unaccustomed to winning.

The Economist

"I'm not unaccustomed to being arrested.

The New York Times

SUDAN is unaccustomed to good news.

The Economist

RURAL Chadians are unaccustomed to handling large amounts of cash.

The Economist

For players unaccustomed to the altitude, "You get tired faster.

The New York Times

But these Nationals are unaccustomed to such moments.

The New York Times - Sports

Holbrooke was not unaccustomed to being a singular figure.

The New York Times - Books

He is not a man unaccustomed to adventuresome dressing.

The New York Times - Sports

Bolivians are unaccustomed to paying much for water or fuel.

The Economist

Local officials, unaccustomed to such criticism, lashed out publicly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unaccustomed to" to describe a state of unfamiliarity resulting from a lack of prior experience. For instance, "Tourists were unaccustomed to the local cuisine" effectively conveys their unfamiliarity.

Common error

Avoid substituting the preposition "to" with other prepositions like "with" or "for." The correct form is always "unaccustomed to." For example, use "unaccustomed to public speaking" instead of "unaccustomed with public speaking".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unaccustomed to" functions primarily as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of unfamiliarity or lack of experience. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. This usage aligns with the examples provided, such as "He seemed unaccustomed to speech."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unaccustomed to" is a versatile phrase used to express a state of unfamiliarity or lack of experience with something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and it appears frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it leans slightly toward formality. Common alternatives include "not used to" and "unfamiliar with". When using this phrase, ensure you use the correct preposition "to" to avoid grammatical errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not used to

Indicates a lack of familiarity through absence of routine experience.

unfamiliar with

Highlights a lack of knowledge or experience about something.

new to

Emphasizes the novelty of an experience or situation.

not conversant with

Suggests a lack of familiarity particularly in terms of knowledge or skill.

unversed in

Implies a lack of experience or training in a particular area.

inexperienced with

Focuses on the lack of practical engagement or exposure.

unacquainted with

Highlights a lack of personal knowledge or introduction to something.

a stranger to

Expresses a complete lack of familiarity, as if encountering something entirely new.

uninitiated in

Implies not having undergone the necessary steps or experiences to understand something.

not acquainted with

Highlights a lack of formal or informal knowledge.

FAQs

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

Use "unaccustomed to" to describe a state of unfamiliarity or lack of experience with something. For example, "The new employee was "unaccustomed to" the company's informal culture".

What are some alternatives to "unaccustomed to"?

You can use alternatives like "not used to", "unfamiliar with", or "new to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "unaccustomed with" instead of "unaccustomed to"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "unaccustomed" is "to". "Unaccustomed with" is grammatically incorrect. Always use ""unaccustomed to"".

What's the difference between "unaccustomed to" and "not used to"?

While both phrases convey a lack of familiarity, "unaccustomed to" often implies a stronger sense of novelty or surprise, whereas "not used to" suggests a more gradual lack of habituation. They are largely interchangeable, though context can nuance the choice.