was accustomed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was accustomed to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being familiar with or used to a particular situation or routine in the past. Example: "She was accustomed to waking up early every morning for her daily jog."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What a relief from the sappy "girls'" books I was accustomed to!

Huffington Post

Rosenberg was accustomed to privilege.

The New Yorker

She was accustomed to ignorant outsiders.

The New Yorker

Krzykowski was accustomed to hardship.

The New Yorker

Yet Erdogan was accustomed to proving himself.

The New York Times - Magazine

DeVos was accustomed to winning in life.

The New York Times - Sports

I was accustomed to not seeing them.

The New Yorker

He was accustomed to politicians disappointing him.

The New Yorker

The city was accustomed to worse news.

The New York Times

Unlike most Chinese children, Zhang was accustomed to foreigners.

The New Yorker

By now I was accustomed to living among the prostitutes.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was accustomed to" to describe past situations or experiences that were familiar or routine for someone. It's particularly effective when contrasting a past state with a present one.

Common error

Avoid using "was customary to" when you mean "was accustomed to". "Customary" refers to what is usual or traditional in a general sense, while "accustomed" refers to personal familiarity or habit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was accustomed to" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a past state of being familiar with or habituated to something. It describes a condition that existed over a period of time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was accustomed to" effectively conveys a past state of familiarity or habit. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted in English writing. While similar to "was used to", "was accustomed to" often implies a process of becoming familiar. It's versatile across various contexts, from news and media to academic writing, but attention should be paid to avoiding confusion with "customary". By understanding its function and purpose, writers can confidently incorporate this phrase into their vocabulary to enhance clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was used to

Indicates a past state of being familiar or habituated to something, similar to "was accustomed to" but with a more general usage.

had become accustomed to

Emphasizes the process of adapting to something new until it becomes a habit.

had grown used to

Implies a gradual process of becoming familiar with something, adding a sense of development over time.

was no stranger to

Suggests a level of experience with something, often implying resilience or adaptation.

was familiar with

Focuses on the state of knowing something well, rather than necessarily having experienced it regularly.

had experience with

Focuses on having previous exposure or knowledge of a particular situation or thing.

was in the habit of

Highlights the repetitive nature of the action or situation, emphasizing the routine aspect.

was well versed in

Implies a deep understanding and proficiency, often in a specific skill or subject.

was wont to

A more archaic and formal way of expressing habitual behavior.

was conditioned to

Suggests that the familiarity is a result of training or external influence.

FAQs

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

You can use "was accustomed to" to describe past habits or familiar situations. For example, "She "was accustomed to" waking up early" indicates that she had a habit of waking up early in the past.

What's the difference between "was accustomed to" and "was used to"?

Both phrases indicate past habits or familiar situations, but "was used to" is more general, while ""was accustomed to"" often implies a process of becoming familiar or comfortable with something.

What are some alternatives to saying "was accustomed to"?

You can use alternatives like "was familiar with", "had grown used to", or "was in the habit of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "was accustomed to" formal or informal?

"Was accustomed to" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in a variety of contexts, although it might be perceived as slightly more formal than "was used to".