What does "unaccustomed" mean?

[unaccustomed]

Test No. incompl/advan-1 "Code of Practice", question 9

Some people are ......... to learn a foreign language.

(a) unaccustomed
(b) shy
(c) reluctant
(d) inhibited

Test No. incompl/advan-1 "Code of Practice", answer 9

Some people are reluctant to learn a foreign language.

Correct answer: (c) reluctant
_________________________

unaccustomed

[Alan]

This word is followed by a gerund or ing form as in: I am unaccustomed to speaking in public.
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[guest]

I wonder why "shy" can't be an answer.
Thanks,

[Alan]

Shy doesn't naturally link with an infinitive construction. Possibly you could be shy at/about + the geund.
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms

[Zero]

i dont' know why "inhabited" can't be used.
Thanks

[Alan]

Hi Zero,

I think the word you mean is inhibited, meaning that you feel embarrassed about doing something. It won't work in this sentence because you would have to say:inhibited about learning.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Passive Voice

[Rocky0623]

How do you do, Sir? I am very glad to know this site. I think this is the best one that I have ever seen on Internet.

Meanwhile, I would like to make sure which is correct, accustomed to do or accustomed to doing.

I have known that both are possible. I really appreciate it to you in advance.

[Rocky0623]

How do you do, Sir? I am very glad to know this site. I think this is the best one that I have ever seen on Internet.

Meanwhile, I would like to make sure which is correct, accustomed to do or accustomed to doing.

I have known that both are possible. I really appreciate it to you in advance.

[Beeesneees]

As you say, both are possible.
_________________
"Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened."
Terry Pratchett

[Alan]

Please activate Javascript in your browser to listen to this audio recording

85 Listened

Download mp3	Click to listen

Hi Rocky,

I am not happy with 'accustomed to do something' You would say: I have become accustomed to bright light first thing in the morning or I am accustomed to that kind of remark from you but using the expression with an infinitive form doesn't sound right. It would be more common to use it with the 'ing' form as in: She is accustomed to receiving compliments on her singing. You could compare the use with 'used' where you can say: used to do and used to doing.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Prepositions

[Jayapalredd]

what part of speech of the word 'most' please clarify

[Alan]

Hi,

It has two main functions (1) as an indefinite determiner meaning the greatest part of and is the superlative of 'much' and 'many' and (2) used as an adverb to indicate the superlative of adjectives as 'most difficult'.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Make or Do?

[Rocky0623]

[Rocky0623]

[Rocky0623]

You are such a nice instructor ^^ thank you again.

And happy to know you here.