adaptive

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "adaptive" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a person or organism that has the ability to change or adjust to their environment or situation. For example, "The adaptive nature of some species enables them to survive in extreme conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The project is part of a trend of "adaptive urbanism", celebrated as a grassroots way of engaging communities to design and activate their cities.

The Guardian

"Although the development of new drainage infrastructure in the city is underway," the report noted, "the project is behind schedule and over-budget, demonstrating that the implementation of adaptive measures may still be a challenge for the local government".

The Guardian

These showed that people across cultures dreamed about similar things: for McNamara, evidence of an adaptive mechanism at work.

The Guardian - Opinion

The resilient city is just as adaptive and able to adjust to a disruption by making new plans, taking new actions, or modifying behaviours and mandates to better accommodate the situation.

The Guardian

But why are they adaptive – beneficial to our survival as a species?

The Guardian - Opinion

He has tried to reconcile them in the "adaptive markets hypothesis", which supposes that humans are neither fully rational nor psychologically unhinged.

The Economist

It is contradicted by her own testimony, it is contradicted by Mr. Feyrer's testimony, it's contradicted by the most recent adaptive management plan review, it's contradicted by the prior studies, it is — candidly, I've never seen anything like it".

The New York Times

The classical, niche-domination strategy often entails minimising variation to squeeze out costs; the adaptive strategy involves maximising variation so as to find out which variant works best.

The Economist

He explicitly derides "marginalist" and "adaptive" responses to environmental issues (such as those he himself proposes) as "another form of appeasement", and calls for "an all-out response to this unprecedented threat".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Largely because a number of big changes are coming at the same time: high-speed mobile networks, cheap tablet devices, the ability to process huge amounts of data cheaply, sophisticated online gaming and adaptive-learning software.

The Economist

As the first rover with an adaptive-rate transmitter it will ultimately change data rates as needed to ensure reception.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "adaptive" to describe systems, technologies, or strategies that are designed to respond effectively to changing circumstances or user needs. For example, "adaptive learning technologies" can personalize educational experiences.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "adaptive", which means capable of adjusting to new conditions, with "adoptive", which relates to the act of adopting a child or a practice. "Adaptive" describes a quality of change, while "adoptive" describes a relationship or action.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "adaptive" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe their ability to adjust or change in response to different conditions. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "adaptive" precedes nouns like "mechanism", "measures", or "strategy".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "adaptive" is an adjective used to describe the ability to adjust or change in response to different conditions, needs, or environments. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. Its primary function is to modify nouns, highlighting their capacity for adjustment. The word's frequency is very common, making it a versatile and useful term in both formal and informal communication. Ludwig's examples show that it appears frequently in news, business, and scientific writing. Remember to avoid confusing "adaptive" with "adoptive", and use it to describe systems, strategies, or technologies designed to respond effectively to changing circumstances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adaptable

Synonymous; emphasizes the capacity to be modified to suit new conditions.

flexible

Focuses on the ease with which something can be bent or modified.

adjustable

Highlights the ability to be changed or altered to fit a specific requirement.

malleable

Implies the capacity to be shaped or influenced.

responsive

Emphasizes the ability to react quickly and positively to changes.

versatile

Suggests having many different uses or abilities.

modifiable

Highlights the capability of being changed or altered.

evolving

Focuses on gradual development and change over time.

dynamic

Implies a state of constant change or activity.

transformative

Emphasizes the potential for significant change or alteration.

FAQs

How can I use "adaptive" in a sentence?

You can use "adaptive" to describe something that adjusts to its environment. For example, "The company developed an adaptive strategy to respond to market changes."

What are some synonyms for "adaptive"?

Synonyms for "adaptive" include "adaptable", "flexible", and "adjustable". These words all relate to the ability to change and adjust.

What's the difference between "adaptive" and "adoptive"?

"Adaptive" describes the ability to adjust to new conditions, while "adoptive" relates to adoption. For example, an "adaptive" immune system adjusts to new threats, while an "adoptive" parent cares for an adopted child.

Is "adaptive" a formal or informal word?

"Adaptive" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage depends on the specific situation, but it is generally accepted in both professional and casual communication.