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Prepositions after adjectives

How to use “unused” with “to” and “for”

Unused to means not accustomed to something. Unused for refers to a purpose or period when something is not used.

Quick answer

Use “unused to” for unfamiliar experience

Unused to means not accustomed to something and is similar to not used to. Unused for usually describes a purpose or duration connected to objects, places, or resources.

She was unused to such cold weather.
The room has been unused for years.
Several tools are unused for this stage of the process.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
unused to + noun or activity

Showing lack of familiarity

Use unused to for experiences or situations someone is not accustomed to.

unused to public attention
unused to working at night
2
unused for + period

Showing lack of use over time

Use for with a duration after unused.

unused for decades
3
unused for + purpose

Showing lack of purpose or function

Use for to describe what something is not being used for.

unused for storage

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
unused to
He was unused to city life.
Not accustomed to something.
unused for
The building has been unused for months.
Not used during a period or for a purpose.
not used to
I am not used to spicy food.
More common modern expression for lack of familiarity.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Confusing unfamiliarity with lack of use

Unused to refers to people and experiences; unused for refers to objects, time, or purpose.

✕ The hall was unused to weddings. ✓ The hall was unused for weddings.

Using “for” with personal habits

Use to after unused when discussing experiences or habits.

✕ She was unused for long meetings. ✓ She was unused to long meetings.

Forgetting the gerund after “to”

After unused to, use a noun or -ing form.

✕ He was unused to work late. ✓ He was unused to working late.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She was unused ___ speaking in public.
2. The factory has stood unused ___ ten years.
3. Which sentence is correct?

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Frequently asked questions

Is “unused to” correct English?

Yes. It means not accustomed to something, although not used to is more common today.

When do we use “unused for”?

Use it for periods of time or purposes, especially with objects or places.

Can “unused to” be followed by a verb?

Yes, but use the -ing form, such as unused to working late.

ubiquitous in, on, across, throughout or for? "ugly in", "ugly for" or "ugly of"? ultimate in, of, for, on or as? "unacceptable to", "unacceptable in" or "unacceptable for"? unaccounted for unaccustomed to or in? unacquainted with unaffected by, in, for or with? "unaffordable for" or "unaffordable to"? unanimous in, on, about, regarding or for? "unattractive to" or "unattractive for"? "unavailable for" or "unavailable to"?

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