adjusting on the fly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adjusting on the fly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe making changes or adaptations quickly and in real-time, often in response to unexpected circumstances. Example: "During the presentation, I found that I had to start adjusting on the fly to address the audience's questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Talented gators wrote their own scripts for questioning, adopting whatever roles seemed most appropriate, and adjusting on the fly.

The Economist

Wittenberg cited the availability of 700 part-timers and 8,000 volunteers, and the organization's experience in adjusting on the fly, most notably in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in 2001.

The New York Times

Spurs versus Heat is a basketball purist's dream: two teams with savvy coaches, smart schemes and enough skill to execute the high-wire act of adjusting on the fly at the pinnacle of competition.

The New York Times - Sports

Speech is loud and clear without being distorted and the microphone seems to do a great job of adjusting on the fly to volume fluctuations and background noise.

TechCrunch

General Manager Jim Rutherford showed last season he's adept at adjusting on the fly, providing ingredients for a team that progressively improved. .

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It includes the adjustments of the fill time of the trapping device and the tight scheduling of elution times of the peptides, ideally adjusted on-the-fly.

Journal of Proteomics

Smart lenses that adjust on-the-fly: Corrective lenses are poised for perhaps the first truly revolutionary leap forward they've ever experienced.

TechCrunch

Unfortunately, the above described capability is desirable because it can enable more flexible marketing strategies that can be adjusted on-the-fly, also by considering the current request (how many shoppers are interested in some kind of product?).

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

One approach uses a liquid lens, the shape of which can be adjusted on-the-fly to adjust for certain circumstances — say, when the focus of the game is on an object that the viewer normally wouldn't be able to focus on.

TechCrunch

You could, for example, tie the animation speed's variable to an on-screen slider, which any user running a pre-release copy of your app could adjust on-the-fly — but you'd have to manually code that in, and remember to take it out before release.

TechCrunch

Since virtually every bike is one-of-a-kind, humans are uniquely qualified to adjust on the fly when it's necessary to create these customized bikes.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "adjusting on the fly" when you want to emphasize the ability to make quick and necessary changes in unpredictable or fast-paced situations. It's particularly effective when describing problem-solving or decision-making under pressure.

Common error

Avoid using "adjusting on the fly" too frequently in your writing. While it's a useful expression, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "adapting in real-time" or "making immediate changes" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adjusting on the fly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how an action is performed. It emphasizes the spontaneity and immediacy of the adjustment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "adjusting on the fly" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to describe making swift, real-time adaptations in response to changing situations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While suitable for various contexts, it finds common usage in News & Media, Academia, and Science. For formal settings, alternatives like "adapting without delay" might be more appropriate. Remember to avoid overuse and to use synonyms such as "adapting in real-time" to maintain variety in your writing. The phrase effectively communicates adaptability and quick thinking under pressure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Adapting without delay

Underscores the absence of any pause or hesitation in the adaptation.

Adapting in real-time

Focuses on the immediacy of the adaptation process.

Making immediate changes

Emphasizes the direct action of changing something without delay.

Revising quickly

Highlights the act of making swift corrections or improvements.

Modifying instantaneously

Highlights the speed at which changes are made.

Correcting immediately

Focuses on fixing errors or inaccuracies as soon as they are detected.

Changing course rapidly

Suggests a shift in direction or strategy that happens quickly.

Improvising on the spot

Emphasizes the spontaneous and inventive nature of the adjustments.

Reacting proactively

Implies anticipation and readiness to respond effectively to changes.

Evolving dynamically

Suggests a continuous and responsive process of change and development.

FAQs

What does "adjusting on the fly" mean?

The phrase "adjusting on the fly" refers to making quick changes or adaptations in response to unexpected circumstances or new information as they arise. It implies a flexible and responsive approach to problem-solving or planning.

How can I use "adjusting on the fly" in a sentence?

You can use "adjusting on the fly" to describe someone's ability to adapt to changing conditions. For example, "The successful project manager was skilled at "adjusting on the fly" when unexpected challenges arose."

What are some alternatives to "adjusting on the fly"?

Some alternatives to "adjusting on the fly" include "adapting in real-time", "making immediate changes", or "improvising on the spot". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "adjusting on the fly" appropriate for formal writing?

While "adjusting on the fly" is widely understood, it leans towards informal usage. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "adapting without delay" or "revising quickly" to maintain a professional tone.