was in the habit of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was in the habit of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a regular or customary action that someone used to do in the past. Example: "When I was a child, I was in the habit of reading before bed every night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was in the habit of ignoring most summer people.

The New Yorker

He was in the habit of adopting stray animals.

The New Yorker

Mr. B. was in the habit of quizzing me disdainfully.

The New York Times - Health

Murry Wilson was in the habit of beating his children.

The Guardian - Music

Greene, he went on, was in the habit of having his sister type his letters.

The New Yorker

But Wang Lianfang was in the habit of breaking rules and dedicated to transforming social traditions.

The Guardian - Books

Miller went to work for Dunn, who was in the habit of driving off his employees.

The New Yorker

"I was in the habit of taking a drink to start the show.

The New York Times - Magazine

One detail: Mr. Bulger was in the habit of yanking teeth from bodies to thwart identification.

The New York Times

Mamet was in the habit of fining latecomers a dollar a minute and then burning their money.

The New Yorker

I had no ticket, and was in the habit of going to festival screenings through the benevolent enterprise of scalpers.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “was in the habit of” when emphasizing that a behavior was a consistent and established practice, not just an occasional occurrence.

Common error

Avoid using "was in the habit of" to describe a single event or action. This phrase is reserved for recurring behaviors. Instead, use simple past tense or other appropriate constructions for isolated incidents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was in the habit of" functions as a verb phrase indicating a recurring action or customary behavior in the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts, showcasing how it sets a tone of consistent past actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was in the habit of" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to describe past customary actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure that you're referring to a repeated behavior rather than a one-time event, and provide clear context for the time frame. While synonyms like "used to" or "was accustomed to" exist, "was in the habit of" emphasizes a more deliberate and consistent practice. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal writing, offering a reliable option for conveying past habits.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was accustomed to

This suggests a state of being familiar with and used to a certain behavior.

used to routinely

This alternative simplifies the phrase to a more concise form, emphasizing the routine aspect.

would regularly

This alternative highlights the regularity of the action.

made a practice of

This suggests a deliberate and intentional habit.

had a tendency to

This option indicates a predisposition or inclination towards a particular action.

customarily did

This emphasizes the customary nature of the action, indicating it was a usual practice.

generally would

It implies the action happened usually, in general terms.

habitually

This single word substitute focuses directly on that the action was done as a habit. Shorter, but perhaps less emphatic

was wont to

This alternative is an archaic expression with a similar meaning.

traditionally did

It implies the repeated action is a tradition more than a habit, meaning it has a more formal and cultural connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "was in the habit of" in a sentence?

Use "was in the habit of" to describe a repeated action or custom in the past. For example: "He "was in the habit of" taking a walk every evening after dinner."

What phrases are similar to "was in the habit of"?

Synonymous phrases include "used to", "was accustomed to", or "had a tendency to". Choose the phrase that best fits the context of your sentence.

Is "was in the habit of" formal or informal?

"Was in the habit of" is considered a neutral expression, suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, simpler alternatives like "used to" may be preferred in casual contexts.

What is the difference between "was in the habit of" and "used to"?

While both phrases describe past habits, "was in the habit of" often implies a more conscious or deliberate practice, whereas "used to" can refer to any past action or state, habitual or not.