Accustom yourself to doing sth Meaning, Examples & How to Use

What Does “Accustom yourself to doing sth” Mean?

“Accustom yourself to doing sth” means to get used to or become familiar with doing something regularly or repeatedly.

Introduction

The phrase “Accustom yourself to doing sth” is commonly used in English to describe the process of adapting to a new habit or routine. When you accustom yourself to doing something, you practice it often enough that it feels natural or comfortable. This expression is useful when talking about learning new skills, changing behaviors, or adjusting to new environments. Understanding the accustom yourself to doing sth meaning can help you express how you or others adapt to different situations in a clear and natural way. This phrase is often used in both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile for everyday conversations and writing.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: Accustom yourself to doing something
• Type: Intransitive (reflexive use)
• Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
• Short meaning: To get used to doing something

Structure (Grammar Rules)

The phrase “accustom yourself to doing sth” follows a fixed pattern with the verb “accustom” used reflexively. It is always followed by the preposition “to,” which connects it to a gerund (verb + -ing) form.

• Positive structure: Subject + accustom + yourself + to + verb-ing
• Example: She accustomed herself to waking up early.
• Negative structure: Subject + did not + accustom + yourself + to + verb-ing
• Example: He did not accustom himself to studying every day.

The verb “accustom” is usually used in the reflexive form (yourself, himself, herself, etc.) because it refers to the subject adapting themselves.

Examples

• It took some time, but I accustomed myself to working night shifts.
• She quickly accustomed herself to living in a new city.
• Accustom yourself to speaking English every day to improve your fluency.
• He accustomed himself to eating healthy foods after changing his diet.
• They accustomed themselves to the cold weather before the winter arrived.

Common Mistakes

• Incorrect: I accustom to do exercises every morning.
  Correct: I accustom myself to doing exercises every morning.
• Incorrect: She accustomed herself doing new tasks quickly.
  Correct: She accustomed herself to doing new tasks quickly.
• Incorrect: They accustom themselves for waking up early.
  Correct: They accustom themselves to waking up early.

Differences / Synonyms

Similar phrases include “get used to,” “adapt to,” and “become accustomed to.” While they all express the idea of adjusting, there are subtle differences:

• Get used to: More informal and commonly used in everyday conversation.
  Example: I got used to the noise after a few days.
• Accustom yourself to: Slightly more formal, often used in writing and formal speech.
  Example: You should accustom yourself to working under pressure.
• Adapt to: Focuses more on changing behavior or approach to fit new conditions.
  Example: Animals adapt to their environments to survive.

Common Collocations

• Accustom yourself to doing homework
• Accustom yourself to early mornings
• Accustom yourself to new routines
• Accustom yourself to speaking in public
• Accustom yourself to working long hours

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of accustom yourself to doing sth:

• Accustom Yourself To Sth
• Accustom Sb To Doing Sth
• Accustom Sb To Sth

Real-life Dialogue

Anna: I find it hard to wake up early every day.

Tom: You just need to accustom yourself to waking up earlier. It gets easier with time.

Anna: I hope so. I’m trying to make it a habit.

Practice

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the phrase:

1. She is trying to ________ herself to ________ healthy food.
2. It takes time to ________ yourself to ________ a new language.
3. They have not yet ________ themselves to ________ the new schedule.

FAQs

• Q: Can I use “accustom” without “yourself”?
  A: No, it is usually reflexive, so “yourself,” “himself,” or “themselves” is needed.
• Q: Is “accustom yourself to doing sth” formal?
  A: Yes, it is more formal than “get used to.”
• Q: What verb form follows “to” in this phrase?
  A: A gerund (verb + -ing) always follows “to.”
• Q: Can I use “accustom yourself” in the past tense?
  A: Yes, for example, “I accustomed myself to waking up early.”
• Q: What is the difference between “accustom yourself to” and “adapt to”?
  A: “Accustom yourself to” focuses on habit formation, while “adapt to” emphasizes adjusting to new conditions.