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A post present continuous for a temporary habit uses the word "habit" to describe how often a guy comes home.

Since David began studying in the USA he hasn't come back very often

I am aware that "habit" means

something that you do often and regularly, sometimes without knowing that you are doing it

source: Cambridge Dictionary

I have a feeling that the "habit" is a choice, consider the examples

I always buy the same brand of toothpaste out of habit.

what brand of toothpaste is a choice, the guy could have chosen other brands, they don't have to choose a specific brand. This is the situation where the word "habit" would be used.

However, coming back not very often is not David's choice, he has do that because he is studying in the USA.

In that context of "coming home", is it appropriate to use "habit"?

update for @Katy

Note: the asker uses the word "habit" in the title, not in the sentence above.

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  • May I suggest that you quote the sentence in question, as the post at your link is quite long?
    – Jack O'Flaherty
    Commented Mar 21, 2020 at 4:35
  • You're making up quite a lot of context for one sentence about David's travels (a sentence which doesn't even use the word 'habit'). It could very well be his choice, and there's nothing about coming home or not coming home that makes "habit" inappropriate.
    – Katy
    Commented Mar 21, 2020 at 4:39
  • @JackO'Flaherty Thank you. Is this your suggestion, "come back very often"?
    – WXJ96163
    Commented Mar 21, 2020 at 4:53
  • @Katy I've updated my OP. What does "making up quite a lot of context" mean? too much, too big or something else?
    – WXJ96163
    Commented Mar 21, 2020 at 4:59
  • No, I mean state your proposed use of "habit" in a sentence, rather than making users search for it in a very long post.
    – Jack O'Flaherty
    Commented Mar 21, 2020 at 5:00

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No a habit is an automatic, or even a reflexive response or action. As in the buying of a favorite toothpaste. The use of the word 'habit' is a poor choice to describe the action 'not coming home often'.

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  • Thank you for supporting my opinion. What is the more appropriate expression for the title of the post I quoted?
    – WXJ96163
    Commented Mar 21, 2020 at 5:18
  • Merely answering the question. the word ' habit' is a poor choice to describe the action, OP must not of been able to formulate a better description. The others' comments are encouragement to construct shorter, less wordy, questions.
    – user19179
    Commented Mar 21, 2020 at 5:56

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