force-of-habit
Chunk: force of habit
Meaning & Usage
Force of habit refers to behavior that is automatic because you have done it so many times in the past. You do it without actively thinking about it, even if it is no longer necessary or logical. It is almost always preceded by the prepositions "out of" or "by".
🧲 Common Collocates
- Common Structures: out of force of habit, purely out of force of habit, by force of habit.
- Verbs of Action: do it out of force of habit, wake up early out of force of habit, reach for (something) out of force of habit.
💬 Contextual Examples
- I don't even like coffee anymore, but I still make a pot every morning purely out of force of habit.
- Even though he retired last year, he still wakes up at 5:30 AM by force of habit.
- I accidentally drove to my old apartment after work out of force of habit.
🎴 Interactive Web Practice
Practice 1: I locked the door before realizing I left my keys inside; I just did it out of ______ of habit.
Answer:
force Practice 2: She checked her email on a Sunday morning purely ______ of force of habit.
Answer:
out Practice 3: It's hard to stop biting my nails; it's just force of ______ now.
Answer:
habit