adopt

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'adopt' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a verb when you take something or someone into your family, or when you start to use a new idea or way of doing something. Example sentence: We decided to adopt a new approach to marketing our product.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Economic girlie men has come to adopt its own meaning.

The Guardian

Not only do they adopt local customs and costumes, but they also get accepted as friends and neighbours," he said.

The Guardian

"We might try and adopt a quick technological fix but one that holds the worst impacts for a few decades without much attention to what happens after that.

The Guardian

Human rights activists and politicians in South Africa, for instance, closely studied German trials, public commemoration and schoolbooks; and the Chinese admonished Japan that, in dealing with the second world war, it should adopt the "German model".

The Guardian - Opinion

Refusing to adopt the traditional role of editor as de haut en bas authority, Hamilton has achieved something that feels not unlike a crowdsourced anthology.

The Guardian - Books

Western-style adoptions and cross-cultural families are rare in Qatar, and a report by Qatari police earlier raised questions about why the Huangs, who are of Asian descent, would adopt children who did not share their "hereditary traits".

The Guardian

SNH also stated that it thought we should all adopt a "pragmatic" approach.

The Guardian - Opinion

He made the claim at PMQs as he challenged Cameron to adopt the proposals to curb rent rises unveiled by Labour last week.

The Guardian

But the organisation has itself come under fire from critics who argue that it has forced countries such as Greece to adopt unsustainable debt repayment programmes, undermining their recovery.

The Guardian - Business

His supporters on the left, meanwhile, believe this is why the president should adopt stronger language on the issue of economic inequality, whether or not he can find policy prescriptions to match.

The Guardian

Do we assume that the views we hold are ones that, with enough persuasion, everyone will come to adopt?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "adopt" in the context of policies or strategies, ensure the subject clearly benefits from the action. For example, 'The company adopted a flexible work policy to improve employee satisfaction.'

Common error

Many writers mistakenly use "adopt" when they mean "adapt". "Adopt" means to take something as your own, while "adapt" means to adjust to new conditions. Ensure you're using the correct term based on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "adopt" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being taken on, implemented, or embraced. Ludwig examples show it used to describe taking on policies, customs, and even children.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

12%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "adopt" is a versatile transitive verb used to indicate the act of taking something as one's own, whether it's a child, a policy, or a new strategy. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While "adopt" is frequently used in "News & Media", it is also common in "Formal & Business" and "Science" contexts. Remember to differentiate "adopt" from "adapt" to avoid common writing errors. By exploring synonyms like "implement" and "embrace", you can enhance the precision and impact of your writing. With its widespread use and clear meaning, "adopt" is a valuable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Embrace

Implies a willing and enthusiastic acceptance, often of an idea or belief.

Espouse

Formally adopt or support a cause, belief, or way of life.

Implement

Focuses on putting a plan or system into effect.

Assume

Highlights the act of taking on a responsibility or role.

Assume responsibility for

Take responsibility or control.

Take on

Similar to assume, but can also refer to accepting a challenge or task.

Follow

Adhere to a particular practice or belief.

Incorporate

Suggests integrating something new into an existing system or structure.

Take up

Begin or start to practice or do.

Acquire

Come to possess or control.

FAQs

How can I use "adopt" in a sentence?

You can use "adopt" to describe taking a child into your family, like "They decided to adopt a child". It can also mean embracing a new idea or method, such as "The company will adopt new technologies to improve efficiency".

What are some synonyms for "adopt" when referring to a new strategy?

Instead of "adopt", you could use alternatives like "implement", "embrace", or "incorporate" to describe starting to use a new approach.

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

"Adopt" means to take something as your own or start using something new. "Adapt", on the other hand, means to change something to make it suitable for a new purpose or situation. For example, you might "adopt" a new policy but "adapt" your strategy to changing market conditions.

Is it correct to say "adopt a lifestyle"?

Yes, it is correct. "Adopt a lifestyle" means to choose and start living according to a particular way of life. For example, "After retiring, he decided to adopt a simpler lifestyle".