adopt a posture

USAGE SUMMARY

'adopt a posture' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the physical position that a person takes on. For example: She adopted a relaxed posture, signaling that she was comfortable with the situation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

One is to accept that success will be a long time coming, and to adopt a posture of military and diplomatic patience and persistence.

The New Yorker

He seems to have invented the palace-balcony scene: the benevolent ruler looks down on admiring subjects, who adopt a posture of deference.

The New Yorker

Indeed, Aipac's key principles of the peace process state unequivocally: "While the United States should be sensitive to the needs of both parties to negotiations, it should not adopt a posture of 'evenhandedness' between its ally, Israel, and other parties".

The New York Times

The contemporary, post-Sontagian polemics adopt a posture of provocation in faintly echoing such forebears, but they are, in their hearts, pluralistic, and in fact suggest only a slight revision in perspective.

The New Yorker

"I don't think it is a controversial notion for the president to adopt a posture whereby candidates whose names are on the ballot are the ones who are driving the strategy for the election," Obama's spokesman, Josh Earnest, told reporters on election day.

The Guardian

The Congress Party of Jawaharlal Nehru then took firm control and governed the Dominion (after 1950 the Republic) of India in parliamentary style and made India one of the first decolonized states to adopt a posture of nonalignment among the great powers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Toyota, for its part, adopts a posture of studied neutrality.

The New York Times

Labour has adopted a posture of lofty disdain towards the whole thing.

The Guardian - Opinion

So far, Trump's advisers have adopted a posture of umbrage and indignation.

The Washington Post

Philip Rucker and Ashley Parker report: "So far, Trump's advisers have adopted a posture of umbrage and indignation.

The Washington Post

The city grieved, to be sure, but the city's leaders adopted a posture of resiliency.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "adopt a posture" in writing, consider whether you're referring to a physical stance or a more figurative attitude. Ensure the context clarifies your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid unintentionally blending the literal (physical stance) and figurative (attitude) meanings of "adopt a posture". Provide enough context to ensure your reader understands your intended meaning. Otherwise, choose other phrases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adopt a posture" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where 'adopt' is the transitive verb and 'a posture' is the direct object. It signifies the act of assuming a particular stance, attitude, or position, whether physical or figurative. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "adopt a posture" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, generally employed to describe the act of assuming a particular stance, whether physical or figurative. While relatively uncommon, it finds use across varied contexts, including news, scientific writing, and academic discourse. It is often used to convey a deliberate choice to assume a specific position or attitude. Key related phrases include "assume a stance" and "take on an attitude", offering nuanced alternatives depending on the intended meaning. When using the phrase, ensure clarity to avoid mixing literal and figurative interpretations. The phrase is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assume a stance

Focuses on the act of taking on a specific position or attitude.

adopt a position

Focuses on assuming a particular stance or opinion on a matter.

take on an attitude

Emphasizes the adoption of a particular mindset or approach.

assume a pose

Highlights the physical aspect of adopting a specific position.

strike a pose

Suggests a deliberate and often stylized assumption of a physical position.

embrace an attitude

Implies a welcoming and active acceptance of a particular mindset.

adopt an attitude

Broader, focusing on adopting a general mindset rather than a specific physical stance.

take a position

Focuses on forming an opinion or stance on a particular issue.

assume a viewpoint

Emphasizes the adoption of a specific perspective or way of thinking.

take up a position

Implies occupying a specific role or function, either literally or figuratively.

FAQs

How can I use "adopt a posture" in a sentence?

You can use "adopt a posture" to describe both physical stances (e.g., "The yoga instructor guided students to adopt a posture of relaxation") and attitudes (e.g., "The company decided to adopt a posture of environmental responsibility").

What are some alternatives to "adopt a posture"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "assume a stance", "take on an attitude", or "assume a pose".

Is it better to say "adopt a posture" or "take a posture"?

"Adopt a posture" is generally preferred when referring to a deliberate choice to assume a specific physical or mental position. "Take a posture" is less common but not incorrect, especially when referring to quickly assuming a stance.

What does it mean to "adopt a defensive posture"?

To "adopt a defensive posture" means to assume a position or attitude that is intended to protect oneself from attack, criticism, or harm. This can be either literal (in terms of physical positioning) or figurative (in terms of argument or strategy).