Accustomed with vs. Accustomed to – Which is Correct?
The correct expression is “accustomed to,” not “accustomed with.” Use accustomed to when someone is familiar with or adjusted to a person, situation, or routine: “She is accustomed to early mornings.” Although with may seem logical, standard modern English uses to after accustomed. This guide explains the grammar and usage.
Accustomed with or to – Which is Correct?
Accustomed to is the standard and correct expression in modern English. The adjective accustomed means familiar with something because of repeated experience or regular exposure.
Accustomed with is generally considered incorrect in standard modern English. The confusion probably occurs because accustomed has a meaning similar to “familiar with,” and familiar with is itself a correct phrase. However, the preposition that normally follows accustomed is to.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the swap test: replace accustomed to with used to. If the sentence still makes sense, to is the correct preposition.
For example, “He is accustomed to working remotely” can become “He is used to working remotely.” Do not combine the two patterns as “accustomed with.” Remember: accustomed to, used to, and familiar with are the standard combinations.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| accustomed to | Adjective phrase | Familiar with or adjusted to something | She is accustomed to the noise. |
| accustomed with | Nonstandard phrase | Not normally used in standard modern English | Use “accustomed to the noise” instead. |
How to Use Accustomed To
Accustomed to describes a person, animal, or group that has become familiar with something through repetition or experience. It can refer to a routine, environment, behavior, physical condition, or social situation.
The phrase is often used in formal and neutral writing, although it is also natural in everyday conversation. The word following to may be a noun, pronoun, or gerund ending in -ing.
Example 1: The new employee is accustomed to working under pressure.
Example 2: After several months abroad, Maya became accustomed to the local customs.
Example 3: The dog was not accustomed to being around large crowds.
When accustomed to is followed by an action, use the gerund form rather than the base verb. Say “accustomed to waking early,” not “accustomed to wake early.”
Etymology of the Word Accustomed
Accustomed comes from the verb accustom, meaning “to make familiar through habit.” Accustom entered English through Anglo-French and Old French forms related to costume, which originally referred to custom, practice, or habit. The modern adjective therefore retains the idea of becoming familiar with something through repeated practice.
Related Concepts
Understanding related adjective-and-preposition combinations makes it easier to use accustomed to correctly.
- Adjective-preposition combinations: Some adjectives conventionally take particular prepositions. For example, we say “interested in,” “afraid of,” and “accustomed to.” These combinations usually must be learned as fixed patterns.
- Gerunds after prepositions: When to functions as a preposition in accustomed to, it can be followed by a noun or an -ing form, as in “accustomed to change” or “accustomed to changing plans.”
- Used to versus accustomed to: Both expressions can describe familiarity developed through repetition. Accustomed to is often slightly more formal, while used to is especially common in conversation.
- Familiar with: This is a related expression with a different preposition. Say “familiar with the process,” but “accustomed to the process.”
Examples from Media and Literature
The expression accustomed to appears naturally when stories, reports, and screenplays describe characters adapting to unfamiliar conditions or living according to established routines.
- Historical novels: A character who has lived at court for many years may be described as “accustomed to formal dinners and elaborate ceremonies.”
- Travel writing: A report about an expatriate may explain that the writer became “accustomed to the city’s crowded public transportation.”
- Adventure films: A character raised in a harsh climate may be portrayed as accustomed to freezing temperatures and difficult terrain.
- Workplace dramas: A veteran journalist might say that she is accustomed to working late when an important story develops.
- Classic literature: Descriptions of social customs often use the phrase to show that a character is familiar with a particular lifestyle or tradition.
Accustomed To Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Used to | Familiar with something because of repeated experience; common in everyday speech. |
| Familiar with | Having knowledge of or experience with something. |
| Adapted to | Adjusted successfully to new conditions or circumstances. |
| Acclimated to | Adjusted to a new environment, climate, or situation. |
| At ease with | Comfortable or relaxed in a particular situation. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “accustomed with” grammatically correct?
No. Accustomed with is generally nonstandard in modern English. Use accustomed to instead: “They are accustomed to the schedule.”
Question 2: What is the difference between “accustomed to” and “familiar with”?
Both expressions describe knowledge or experience, but they emphasize slightly different ideas. Accustomed to often suggests adjustment through repeated exposure, while familiar with usually means having knowledge of or experience with something.
Question 3: Can “accustomed to” be followed by a verb?
Yes, but the verb should use its gerund form. Say “She is accustomed to driving at night,” not “She is accustomed to drive at night.”
Question 4: Is “accustomed to” formal?
It is suitable for formal, professional, and academic writing, but it is also common in ordinary conversation. The less formal alternative is often used to.
Conclusion
Use accustomed to when you mean familiar with or adjusted to something. Accustomed with is not the standard modern form, even though it may be confused with the correct phrase familiar with. Pro Tip: Using the correct adjective-preposition combination strengthens your credibility and helps your professional writing sound polished and authoritative.
