a shift of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a shift of" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a change or movement from one thing to another. Example: The company's recent success can be attributed to a shift of focus from traditional marketing to social media advertising.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a shift of historic proportion.

The Washington Post

He sees a shift of that scale taking place now.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A shift of seven votes would have changed the outcome.

The Guardian

I think that requires a shift of thinking.

The New York Times

It is also about a shift of consciousness.

The Guardian

The discovery had brought "a shift of emphasis", said Redwood.

The Guardian

A shift of 18 handles the actual refining.

The Washington Post

"There's been a shift of thinking," he said.

The Washington Post

That's a shift of 13 and 6 percentage points, respectively.

The Washington Post

But nobody should mistake that for a shift of ideology.

The Guardian

With each relationship, Picasso responded with a shift of style.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a shift of", ensure the context clearly defines what is changing and what it is changing to. For instance, "a shift of focus" should be followed by specifying the new area of attention.

Common error

Avoid using "a shift of" without providing sufficient context. For example, instead of saying "There was a shift of opinion", specify what the opinion shifted from and to: "There was a shift of opinion from support to opposition".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shift of" functions as a noun phrase often followed by another noun to indicate a change or movement from one thing to another. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its versatility in expressing various types of shifts, from focus to power.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

22%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a shift of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a change or movement from one thing to another. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "a change in" or "a transition to" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance intended. When using "a shift of", ensure clear context to avoid ambiguity. The frequency analysis shows it's a very common phrase, reflecting its widespread applicability in expressing various types of transitions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a change in

Focuses on the alteration itself, without necessarily implying a direction or displacement.

a transition to

Emphasizes the process of moving from one state to another, often suggesting a more gradual change.

a move toward

Suggests a directional change, implying progress or intention.

a transformation into

Indicates a significant and comprehensive change, often implying a fundamental alteration.

an alteration of

Highlights the act of modifying or adjusting something, often in a less dramatic way than a transformation.

a modification to

Similar to "an alteration of", but can also refer to a more limited or specific change.

a deviation from

Focuses on moving away from a standard or expected course.

a departure from

Suggests a more significant move away from a previous state or position, often implying a new direction.

a displacement of

Emphasizes the removal or relocation of something from its original position.

a switch to

Implies a direct and often abrupt change from one thing to another.

FAQs

How can I use "a shift of" in a sentence?

You can use "a shift of" to describe a change or movement. For example, "The company experienced "a shift of focus" to digital marketing."

What's a good alternative for "a shift of"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a change in", "a transition to", or "a move toward".

Is it correct to say "a shift in" instead of "a shift of"?

While "a shift of" is grammatically correct and widely used, "a shift in" is also a valid and often interchangeable alternative. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "a shift of paradigm" mean?

"A shift of paradigm" refers to a fundamental change in the basic concepts and experimental practices of a scientific discipline, or a significant alteration in how people perceive or understand something.