What Does “Accustom sb to sth” Mean?
“Accustom sb to sth” means to help someone become familiar with or used to a new situation, habit, or environment.
Introduction
The phrase “Accustom sb to sth” is commonly used in English to describe the process of making someone comfortable or familiar with something new. Whether it is a new job, a different culture, or a change in daily routine, we often need time and experience to get used to these changes. The “Accustom sb to sth meaning” involves helping or training someone to adapt to these new conditions. This phrase is useful for describing gradual adjustment and is often used in both formal and informal contexts. Understanding how to use this phrase correctly can improve your communication skills and help you express adaptation in various situations clearly.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Accustom somebody to something
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To make someone familiar with something new
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Accustom sb to sth” is a transitive phrasal verb, which means it requires an object (someone) and is followed by a prepositional phrase starting with “to”.
- Subject + accustom + somebody (sb) + to + something (sth)
- Example: The teacher accustomed the students to speaking English daily.
This phrase is inseparable; you cannot separate “accustom” from “to”.
Examples
- It took a few weeks to accustom the new employees to the company’s working style.
- Parents often accustom their children to healthy eating habits from an early age.
- The coach accustomed the players to rigorous training sessions before the tournament.
- She was accustomed to living in a busy city after moving there for work.
- Accustom sb to sth in a sentence: The manager accustoms new staff to the office rules during their first week.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: I accustom my brother with cold weather.
Correct: I accustom my brother to cold weather. - Incorrect: They accustomed to the noise quickly.
Correct: They accustomed themselves to the noise quickly. - Incorrect: She accustomed the students for the exam.
Correct: She accustomed the students to the exam format.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include “get used to,” “adapt to,” and “familiarize sb with.” However, there are subtle differences:
- Accustom sb to sth: Often implies a deliberate process of helping someone become familiar.
- Get used to: More informal and usually refers to personal adaptation without help.
- Adapt to: Implies adjusting to new conditions, often used for both people and things.
- Familiarize sb with: Focuses more on introducing someone to knowledge or skills.
Example: The teacher accustomed the students to the new software. (helped them get familiar)
They got used to the new schedule after a few days. (personal adaptation)
Common Collocations
- Accustom sb to new environment
- Accustom sb to changes
- Accustom sb to a routine
- Accustom sb to a habit
- Accustom sb to working hours
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of accustom sb to sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: How is your little brother adjusting to the new school?
Mike: At first, it was hard, but the teachers helped accustom him to the new environment.
Anna: That’s great! It’s always tough to get used to changes.
Mike: Yes, but now he feels comfortable and enjoys his classes.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “accustom”:
- The company _______ new employees _______ the software during their training.
- It took time to _______ myself _______ the cold weather.
- Teachers often _______ students _______ strict deadlines.
FAQs
- Q: Is “accustom sb to sth” formal or informal?
A: It is mostly formal or neutral and used in both spoken and written English. - Q: Can we say “accustom myself to sth”?
A: Yes, you can say “accustom myself to sth” to talk about personal adaptation. - Q: What is the difference between “accustom sb to sth” and “get used to sth”?
A: “Accustom sb to sth” often involves someone helping another person adapt, while “get used to” refers to personal adjustment. - Q: Can “accustom” be used without “to”?
A: No, “accustom” is always followed by “to” plus the thing someone is getting used to. - Q: Is “accustom” a separable phrasal verb?
A: No, “accustom to” is inseparable and must stay together.
