What Does โAccustom sb to sthโ Mean?
โAccustom sb to sthโ means to help someone become familiar with or used to a new situation, habit, or environment.
Introduction
The phrase โAccustom sb to sthโ 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 โAccustom sb to sth meaningโ 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)
โAccustom sb to sthโ is a transitive phrasal verb, which means it requires an object (someone) and is followed by a prepositional phrase starting with โtoโ.
- Subject + accustom + somebody (sb) + to + something (sth)
- Example: The teacher accustomed the students to speaking English daily.
This phrase is inseparable; you cannot separate โaccustomโ from โtoโ.
Examples
- It took a few weeks to accustom the new employees to the companyโs 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 โget used to,โ โadapt to,โ and โfamiliarize sb with.โ 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: Thatโs great! Itโs 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 โaccustomโ:
- 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 โaccustom sb to sthโ formal or informal?
A: It is mostly formal or neutral and used in both spoken and written English. - Q: Can we say โaccustom myself to sthโ?
A: Yes, you can say โaccustom myself to sthโ to talk about personal adaptation. - Q: What is the difference between โaccustom sb to sthโ and โget used to sthโ?
A: โAccustom sb to sthโ often involves someone helping another person adapt, while โget used toโ refers to personal adjustment. - Q: Can โaccustomโ be used without โtoโ?
A: No, โaccustomโ is always followed by โtoโ plus the thing someone is getting used to. - Q: Is โaccustomโ a separable phrasal verb?
A: No, โaccustom toโ is inseparable and must stay together.
