adapt

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "adapt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone or something is changing in order to suit new conditions or to deal with new situations. Example sentence: She quickly adapted the new lesson plan to the changing needs of her students.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We've had to adapt.

The Guardian - Sport

At the very least Guardiola might hope to find a trio of central defenders mobile and assured enough to adapt to a demanding system.

The Guardian - Sport

And it must be equitable - helping poorer countries adapt and to forge their own transition to a low-carbon future.

The Guardian - Opinion

She compared their evolutionary radiations – or how species adapt to and fill ecological niches – to famous examples like Darwin's finches in the Galapagos or the cichlids of East Africa's lakes.

The Guardian

But what made The Woman in Black so difficult to adapt?

The Guardian - Film

"Many people in Russia hope that he will quickly adapt to life here and support him," Kucherena said.

The Guardian

For two years, I couldn't adapt at all.

The Guardian

By any measure, he was one of the outstanding General officers of his generation, helping our military adapt to new challenges, and leading our men and women in uniform through a remarkable period of service in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he helped our nation put those wars on a path to a responsible end.

The Guardian

The UK needs to proactively adapt boardroom culture so more women are keen to continue their career path to the top.

The Guardian

Berger says he never wants to leave Eskdale but he's had to adapt to the unique landscape, explaining that you must accept you're a long way from anywhere else.

The Guardian

With 300,000 Chinese tourists expected to visit Spain this year and a million by the end of the decade, hotels are rushing to adapt in order to receive a "Chinese-friendly" stamp of approval.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "adapt" when describing a change that makes something more suitable for a new situation or environment. Ensure the subject actively modifies itself or the object to fit the new context.

Common error

Avoid using "adapt" passively without specifying what is being adapted or what it is being adapted to. Be clear about both the subject undergoing adaptation and the environment or situation it is adapting to.

Linguistic Context

The word "adapt" primarily functions as a verb, indicating an action of modification or adjustment. It describes the process of making something suitable for new conditions. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in diverse contexts, from adapting to new management styles to environmental changes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "adapt" is a verb that means to change or adjust to new conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and very common across a variety of contexts. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Sport", it conveys the communicative purpose of adjusting to altered circumstances. Key considerations for usage include understanding the direct object and ensuring clarity in what is being adapted to what. Remember to use "adapt to", not "adapt at". Furthermore, be mindful not to confuse "adapt" with "adopt". Overall, "adapt" is a versatile and essential term for describing change and adjustment in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Adjust

Focuses on making minor changes to fit a new situation or environment.

Modify

Suggests making alterations to something, often to improve it or make it more suitable.

Change

Implies becoming different or altering characteristics.

Transform

Indicates a significant change in form or appearance.

Evolve

Highlights a gradual development or change over time.

Conform

Emphasizes aligning with established norms or standards.

Acclimatize

Refers specifically to adapting to a new climate or environment.

Become accustomed

Focuses on getting used to something through repeated exposure.

Get used to

Indicates becoming familiar and comfortable with a new situation.

Re-engineer

Implies fundamentally altering a system or process for improvement or adaptation.

FAQs

How can I use "adapt" in a sentence?

Use "adapt" to show that something is changing to become suitable for a new environment or situation. For example: "The company had to "adapt" its strategies to the changing market conditions."

What are some synonyms for "adapt"?

Synonyms for "adapt" include "adjust", "modify", "change", and "transform". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "adapt at" or "adapt to"?

The correct usage is "adapt to". For example, "They had to "adapt" to the new rules" is correct, while "They had to adapt at the new rules" is incorrect.

What's the difference between "adapt" and "adopt"?

"Adapt" means to modify or adjust to new conditions, while "adopt" means to take something and make it your own. For instance, a business might "adapt" its marketing strategy, or "adopt" a new technology.