Introduction / Context:
Idioms and set phrases in English often preserve older words that are rare in everyday speech. The noun “wont” is one such word. It appears in literary or formal writing and means a customary practice or habit. In the sentence, the narrator explains that visiting a friend in the evening is something he habitually does, not a one-off decision made on that specific day.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- The sentence uses “as was his wont.”
- Register is slightly literary; “wont” is a noun meaning habit or customary behavior.
- The task is to choose the closest paraphrase that captures the habitual sense.
Concept / Approach:
To interpret idioms accurately, convert the archaic or formal term into a plain, modern synonym that preserves aspect and meaning. “As was his wont” literally means “as he was accustomed to do,” which in contemporary English is “as usual” or “as was his habit.” Any option that suggests a specific desire that day misses the key idea of regularity over time.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Identify the part of speech: “wont” here is a noun (habit), not the adjective “wont to” (accustomed to).2) Replace with modern phrasing: “as was his habit” → “as usual.”3) Compare options and select the one that denotes customary action rather than a single-time preference.4) Confirm that the sentence still reads naturally with the substitution.
Verification / Alternative check:
Substitute: “He went to his friend’s house in the evening, as usual.” The meaning and tone are preserved, validating the choice.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
as he wanted: Focuses on desire at that moment, not habit.as his want was: “Want” here means “desire,” and the construction is ungrammatical.as he wanted that day: Explicitly non-habitual, contradicts the idiom.
Common Pitfalls:
Confusing “wont” (habit) with “want” (desire). They sound similar but differ in meaning and grammar. Always check context—habitual vs momentary choice.
Final Answer:
as usual
Discussion & Comments