adjustment

USAGE SUMMARY

'adjustment' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to refer to a slight change or modification made to something in order to make it better. For example, "We made several small adjustments to the recipe, and now it tastes even better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

The speed of climate change may also help, reckons Paul Romer of New York University, if broader shifts in habitability occur slowly enough to allow a relatively smooth geographic adjustment.

The Economist

Nomura's adjustment raises China's foreign-currency debt from 9.2% of GDP to 9.3%: hardly the stuff of doom.Living on a prayerIf there is little sign of imminent disaster, there is good reason to be vigilant.

The Economist

But Professor Mortensen's 1970 paper was still pretty modest in its treatment of the company side of the problem, which Peter Diamond remedied in his 1971 search model, "A Model of Price Adjustment," published in The Journal of Economic Theory.

The Economist

It goes on to warn: In addition, house prices have increased rapidly and may create risks to financial stability in the case of a downward adjustment".

The Guardian - Business

"It's definitely been an adjustment but I'm comfortable with the differences now.

The Guardian - Sport

Explanations run from the practical -- a talent gap with the Galaxy – to the tactical: Portland can't make the adjustment from its cozy 110-by-74 pitch to the expansive 120-by-75 that greets them in SoCal.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

The United States federal budget has over 100 line items and many World Bank adjustment loans have over 50 conditions for a single country.The development process is complex.

The Economist

After 1992 – which like 1970, and now 2015 – saw the polls understate Conservative strength, another adjustment was introduced.

The Guardian - Opinion

Already the painful 17-year economic adjustment programme under IMF guidance has been derailed.

The Economist

Foreign direct investment will fall to $19 billion this year and $16 billion next year, down from $33 billion in 2000, according to the Central Bank.Most of the adjustment has now taken place.

The Economist

But given a long adjustment period it isn't clear that the wage demands of the long-term unemployed can fall fast enough to keep up with their own declining employability.There is a way to accelerate the adjustment, of course, which is for the Fed to make up some of the lost demand ground (it need not make up all of it, as a partial adjustment has taken place).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about financial corrections, specify the type of "adjustment" made, such as "inflation adjustment" or "market value adjustment", for clarity.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "adjustment", which refers to a change or modification, with "admittance", which means permission to enter. For example, "The policy requires an adjustment for inflation", not "The policy requires an admittance for inflation".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "adjustment" is as a noun. It refers to the act of adjusting, the state of being adjusted, or the result of adjusting something. According to Ludwig, it describes a small change or minor correction. Examples from Ludwig show its use in contexts like "geographic adjustment" or "attitude adjustment".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

18%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "adjustment" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the act, state, or result of making changes to achieve a better fit or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's considered grammatically correct and is versatile across many contexts. The examples from Ludwig highlight its use in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific contexts. When using "adjustment", consider specifying the type of change for clarity and avoid confusion with words like "admittance". Alternatives such as "modification", "adaptation", and "correction" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modification

Refers to a change made to something, often to improve it or adapt it to a new situation. It's a direct synonym focusing on the act of altering.

alteration

Indicates a change or modification, typically a relatively small one, made to something. Similar to modification, but can imply a more superficial change.

adaptation

Highlights the process of changing to suit new conditions or environments. Emphasizes the reactive nature of the change.

correction

Implies fixing something that is wrong or inaccurate. Focuses on rectifying errors or deviations.

revision

Suggests a more thorough review and change, often implying improvement. Useful when substantial changes are being made.

fine-tuning

Refers to making small, precise adjustments to optimize performance. Emphasizes precision and optimization.

recalibration

Implies restoring accuracy or balance through adjustment. Often used in technical contexts.

rearrangement

Indicates changing the order or position of things. Focuses on spatial or organizational changes.

rectification

Suggests correcting something that is wrong or unjust. Carries a stronger connotation of making something right.

amelioration

Highlights the improvement of something that is bad or unsatisfactory. Emphasizes making things better.

FAQs

How is "adjustment" used in economics?

In economics, "adjustment" often refers to changes in economic variables to restore equilibrium. For instance, currency "currency adjustment" can help correct trade imbalances.

What's the difference between "modification" and "adjustment"?

"Adjustment" often implies adapting to a specific circumstance or need, while "modification" is a more general term for making changes. For example, a car's seat requires an "adjustment" for comfort, while a software needs a "modification" for new features.

Can "adaptation" be used instead of "adjustment"?

While both relate to change, "adaptation" often refers to a more significant or fundamental change to fit new conditions. "Adjustment" usually implies smaller, more precise changes. Using "adaptation" suggests a larger shift.

Is it correct to use "adjustment" when referring to a change in attitude?

Yes, "adjustment" can refer to a change in attitude or behavior. For instance, "attitude "attitude adjustment"" suggests altering one's perspective or mindset.