adjust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adjust" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to making changes or modifications to something in order to improve it or make it more suitable. Example: "Please adjust the settings on the device to optimize its performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are creatures of habit, particularly when it comes to the bad ones, and struggle to adjust when called upon to expand beyond behavioural settings hardwired in our youth.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

National Grid announced it was close to signing up three power stations to help fill the gap left by closures, breakdowns and delays, and said the cost to consumers of paying for extra capacity and for companies to adjust their consumption if necessary will be about £1 per household.

The Guardian - Business

This column was amended on 27 January 2015 to adjust the amount of coconut required in the Coconut and semolina yoghurt cake, and to remove a reference to the Tropical Bounty tart as being vegan.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But celebrities should remember that information on, say, their schools and pets is often publicly available, and adjust their security questions and answers accordingly".

The Guardian

"We have discovered recently that women have the same rights as men so we need to participate with them," he says, and adds, "the women bring in a lot of money!" According to the women, however, some men are taking time to adjust.

The Guardian

Adjust until you have bright yellow small center and bright red corners.

WikiHow

Quite apart from the difficulties of not being able to adjust their exchange rates, the eurozone economies are suffering from a massive shortage of demand.

The Guardian - Business

"We anticipate that more than 400 people – close to 10% of our ongoing workforce – face potential redundancy as we adjust our activities over coming months," Scott said.

The Guardian

And because people realised she was not going to bend, they began to adjust.

The Guardian

If I'd got it just a bit wrong, I might have just tried to adjust a little.

The Guardian - Film

In particular, Lambo complains about the speed with which the government has pushed through the cuts, making it particularly difficult for the arts world to adjust or find sponsors.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "adjust", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. If the change is minor and precise, "fine-tune" might be more appropriate. For adapting to new conditions, "adapt" may be better.

Common error

Avoid using "adjust" when the required change is substantial or transformative. Phrases like "completely overhaul" or "redesign" are more fitting for major changes.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "adjust" is as a verb. It describes the action of making changes, modifying, or adapting something to a specific requirement or situation. Ludwig examples show it used both transitively and intransitively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

12%

Lifestyle

8%

Less common in

Sport

5%

Business

5%

Tech

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "adjust" is a versatile verb used to describe the act of making changes or adaptations to improve something or to better suit a particular situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is grammatically correct and widely used. It appears very frequently across various contexts, especially in news and media sources. When writing, consider alternative phrases like "adapt oneself" or "fine-tune" to add nuance to your writing. Avoid using "adjust" when describing significant transformations; other words are more appropriate in those situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make adjustments

Focuses on the act of making changes rather than the end result of being adapted.

adapt oneself

Emphasizes the reflexive action of becoming suitable for new conditions.

modify slightly

Highlights small changes made to something.

fine-tune

Implies making very precise or delicate changes for optimal performance.

recalibrate

Specifically suggests resetting or correcting a measurement or setting.

bring into line

Focuses on making something conform to a standard or requirement.

reshape

Suggests a more significant alteration than a simple adjustment.

accommodate

Emphasizes making allowances or changes to fit a particular need or situation.

alter

Is a general term for making changes, often implying a more significant change than "adjust".

correct

Focuses on fixing errors or inaccuracies rather than adapting to new circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "adjust" in a sentence?

You can use "adjust" to describe making changes to something, like "Please adjust the volume" or adapting to new circumstances, such as "Immigrants often need time to "adapt oneself" to a new culture".

What can I say instead of "adjust"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "modify slightly", "fine-tune", or "recalibrate".

When is it appropriate to use "adapt" instead of "adjust"?

"Adapt" is generally used when referring to more significant changes to suit new conditions or environments. "Adjust" often implies smaller, more precise changes. For example, you "adapt" to a new country, but you "adjust" the settings on a device.

What's the difference between "adjust" and "correct"?

"Adjust" implies making changes to improve or make something suitable, while "correct" focuses on fixing errors or inaccuracies. You might "adjust" a recipe to suit your taste, but you "correct" a mistake in a calculation.