The expression as I am wont to do appears in both spoken and written English as a somewhat formal way of saying “as I usually do” or “as I habitually do.” Though it may sound archaic to modern ears, the phrase carries a nuanced sense of personal habit or inclination, and it often lends a touch of literary flair to a sentence. Understanding its meaning, origin, and proper usage can enrich one’s vocabulary and help avoid awkward constructions when aiming for a refined tone Surprisingly effective..
Understanding the Phrase “as I am wont to do”
Definition and Grammar
Wont is an adjective (or, historically, a noun) meaning “accustomed” or “habitual.” In contemporary usage it survives mostly in fixed expressions like as I am wont to do, as he is wont to say, or as they are wont to behave. Grammatically, the phrase functions as an adverbial clause that modifies the main verb of a sentence, indicating that the action follows the speaker’s customary pattern.
- Subject + verb + as I am wont to do + rest of sentence
Example: I lingered over the coffee, as I am wont to do, before starting work.
The clause can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence, though placement influences emphasis. When positioned at the start, it sets a reflective tone; when placed after the main clause, it feels more like an aside.
Etymology and Historical Usage
The word wont derives from Old English gewunod, the past participle of gewunian “to be accustomed.” By Middle English it appeared as wont (adjective) and later as a noun meaning “custom” or “habit.” The construction as I am wont to do emerged in Early Modern English, gaining popularity in the 16th and 17th centuries among writers who favored a somewhat ornate style. Shakespeare, for instance, used related forms (as he is wont), and the phrase appears in the King James Bible and various devotional texts of the period Turns out it matters..
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the expression persisted in formal prose, letters, and poetry, often signaling a speaker’s self‑awareness of their own habits. Its frequency declined in the 20th century as colloquial alternatives like “as I usually do” became more common, yet it survives in literary fiction, academic writing, and occasional speeches where a dignified or reflective tone is desired Small thing, real impact. Took long enough..
Literary Examples
Classic Literature
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Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice (1813):
“I am not at all inclined to dance, as I am wont to do, unless the music is particularly lively.”
Here Austen uses the phrase to reveal a character’s habitual reluctance, adding subtle insight into social manners. -
Charles Dickens, Bleak House (1853):
“He shuffled papers across the desk, as he is wont to do, while waiting for the clerk’s arrival.”
Dickens employs the expression to convey a routine action that underscores the character’s meticulous nature. -
Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady (1881):
“She paused at the doorway, as she is wont to do, listening to the murmur of voices beyond.”
James’s use adds a psychological layer, suggesting the character’s habitual vigilance.
Modern Usage
Contemporary authors sometimes revive the phrase for stylistic effect or to evoke a period feel. In Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day (1989), the butler Stevens reflects:
“I polished the silver, as I am wont to do, each evening before retiring.”
The phrase reinforces Stevens’s dedication to ritual and his restrained, formal voice.
In journalism, a columnist might write:
“I revisit the same debate each year, as I am wont to do, when the anniversary approaches.”
Here the expression signals a personal, recurring practice without sounding overly stiff.
How to Use the Expression Correctly
Sentence Placement
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Initial position (for emphasis):
As I am wont to do, I reviewed the notes before the meeting.
This placement highlights the habit as a framing device. -
Medial position (as a parenthetical aside):
I reviewed the notes, as I am wont to do, before the meeting.
The clause feels like a brief comment on the speaker’s routine Not complicated — just consistent.. -
Final position (as an afterthought):
I reviewed the notes before the meeting, as I am wont to do.
Here the habit is presented as supplementary information And that's really what it comes down to..
Tone and Register
Because wont is relatively rare in everyday conversation, the phrase leans toward a formal, literary, or slightly archaic register. It works well in:
- Academic essays where a refined tone is desired.
- Narrative fiction aiming for a timeless or classic voice.
- Speeches or presentations that benefit from a measured, dignified cadence.
In casual conversation, substituting “as I usually do” or “as I tend to do” avoids sounding pretentious. That said, if the speaker wishes to convey a sense of deliberate habit or ritual, retaining as I am wont to do can add a distinctive flavor Small thing, real impact..
Common Mistakes and Pitfalls
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Misplacing the clause – Inserting the phrase in a way that disrupts subject‑verb agreement can confuse readers. Ensure the clause modifies the verb it intends to describe.
- Incorrect: As I am wont to do, the report was finished early. (The clause incorrectly modifies “the report.”)
- Correct: I finished the report early, as I am wont to do.
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Overuse – Repeating the phrase multiple times in a short passage can make the prose feel strained. Vary with synonyms like “as I typically do,” “as I habitually do,” or simply omit the clause when the habit is already clear from context Most people skip this — try not to..
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**Confusing wont with
…with want – a frequent slip because the two words look and sound similar. Remember that wont is an adjective meaning “accustomed” or “habitual,” whereas want is a verb expressing desire or lack. Substituting one for the other changes the meaning entirely:
- Incorrect: As I am want to do, I check the mail each morning.
- Correct: As I am wont to do, I check the mail each morning.
If you find yourself hesitating, try re‑phrasing the sentence with a more familiar synonym (“as I usually do”) to see whether the sense still fits; if it does, the original wont construction is likely appropriate Easy to understand, harder to ignore. Still holds up..
Quick Reference Checklist
| Situation | Recommended Form | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Formal writing, literary tone | as I am wont to do | Evokes a measured, timeless voice |
| Academic paper, refined style | as I am wont to do | Adds sophistication without sounding archaic |
| Casual speech or blog | as I usually do / as I tend to do | Avoids pretentiousness |
| Emphasizing the habit at the start | As I am wont to do, … | Front‑loads the ritual for rhetorical effect |
| Adding a side note | …, as I am wont to do, … | Keeps the flow smooth while reminding the reader |
| Closing remark | …, as I am wont to do. | Treats the habit as an afterthought, reinforcing consistency |
Final Thoughts
The phrase as I am wont to do is a compact way to foreground a personal habit while lending a touch of formality or literary flair. And missteps—misplacing the clause, overusing it, or confusing wont with want—can undermine that effect, but a quick mental check (does the clause describe the subject’s habitual action? Its power lies in its rarity: when used sparingly and correctly, it signals a deliberate, almost ritualistic pattern of behavior. ) usually prevents errors.
In sum, embrace as I am wont to do when you want to underline a steadfast routine in a dignified tone, and opt for simpler alternatives when the context calls for plainspoken clarity. By matching the expression to the register and purpose of your writing, you’ll harness its distinctive charm without sacrificing readability.
