habit of + activity
Describing repeated behaviour
Use habit of followed by a noun or -ing form.
He developed a habit of reading before bed.
Prepositions used with habit
Habit combines with several prepositions in different meanings. The most common patterns are habit of and in the habit of.
Quick answer
Which prepositions are used with habit?
Use habit of for repeated behaviour: a habit of checking emails. Use in the habit of for regular actions. By habit means automatically or routinely. To habit and on habit are not standard combinations in modern English.
She has a habit of interrupting people.
He's in the habit of waking up early.
He's in the habit of waking up early.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
in the habit of + activity
Talking about regular practice
Use in the habit of for actions done regularly.
They are in the habit of taking notes during meetings.
by habit
Describing automatic behaviour
Use by habit to mean automatically or from routine.
She checks the lock twice by habit.
break a habit
Talking about stopping behaviour
No preposition is needed after habit in this expression.
It took months to break the habit.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
habit of
a habit of arriving late
correct for repeated behaviour
in the habit of
She's in the habit of saving receipts.
correct for regular practice
by habit
He orders the same meal by habit.
correct for automatic routine
on habit
She acts on habit.
possible but less common; usually by habit is more natural
to habit
They adapted to the habit.
to belongs with another verb, not with habit itself
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using to habit as a fixed pattern
Habit does not normally take to directly.
✕ He has a habit to complain. ✓ He has a habit of complaining.Using on habit instead of by habit
By habit is the standard expression for automatic routine.
✕ I check my phone on habit. ✓ I check my phone by habit.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. She has a habit ___ biting her nails.
2. He's ___ the habit of exercising daily.
3. I lock the door twice ___ habit.
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Frequently asked questions
Can habit be followed by an infinitive?
Usually English prefers habit of plus -ing rather than habit to plus verb.
What is the difference between habit of and in the habit of?
Habit of names a repeated behaviour. In the habit of emphasises regular practice.
Is on habit ever correct?
It can appear in limited contexts, but by habit is much more idiomatic for routine behaviour.
Related preposition guides
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