The expression be accustomed to is a stative collocation used to describe a state of familiarity. It indicates that someone has experienced something often enough that it no longer feels strange, new, or difficult.
The meaning is semi-idiomatic; while the word "accustomed" is an adjective derived from "custom" (habit), the phrase functions as a fixed unit where the preposition "to" is mandatory. In terms of register, it is formal to neutral. It is frequently found in academic writing, journalism, and professional correspondence, where it serves as a more sophisticated alternative to "be used to."
The grammatical structure of this expression is: [Subject] + [be] + accustomed + to + [Object].
Key rules for usage include:
What sounds unnatural: Using an infinitive verb (e.g., "I am accustomed to eat") is a major grammatical error. Similarly, using the preposition "with" instead of "to" is incorrect.
These examples are sourced from be accustomed to on Ludwig.guru.
"Men like these might reasonably be accustomed to doing things in a certain way." — theguardian.com
"The British may be accustomed to waiting for hip replacements, but Americans do not like rationing." — nytimes.com
"In addition, some students may be accustomed to different cultural values and priorities with respect to academic honesty." — mit.edu
"American travelers may be accustomed to a cup of coffee, perhaps accompanied by a room-temperature pastry, for breakfast." — nytimes.com
"In fact my trainer Jim McDonnell has been booing me when I work out so I'll be accustomed to it." — independent.co.uk
| Phrase | Context |
|---|---|
| be used to | The most common neutral alternative; interchangeable in most contexts but less formal. |
| be familiar with | Focuses on knowledge or awareness rather than a physical or emotional habit. |
| be acclimated to | Often used in biological or environmental contexts, such as adjusting to climate or altitude. |
| be in the habit of | Focuses on the repetitive action itself rather than the feeling of familiarity. |
| be adjusted to | Implies a successful transition to a new set of circumstances. |
| Expression | Meaning | Grammatical Pattern | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| be accustomed to | To be familiar with something through use or experience | be + accustomed + to + [noun/gerund] | Formal / Neutral |
The components of be accustomed to must stay together and cannot be separated by an object. While you can place an adverb between "be" and "accustomed" (e.g., "he is slowly becoming accustomed to"), the adjective and the preposition always remain adjacent.
Both expressions share the same meaning and grammatical structure, requiring a noun or gerund afterward. The primary difference is that be accustomed to is more formal and preferred in literature or professional reports, whereas be used to is the standard choice for everyday conversation.
You must use a gerund (the -ing form) or a noun phrase because the word "to" in this expression is a preposition, not part of an infinitive. For example, write "I am accustomed to working late" rather than "I am accustomed to work late."
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