adopts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adopts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of taking on or accepting something, such as a policy, idea, or behavior. Example: "The organization adopts a new strategy to improve its outreach efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(If the fact that a country eventually adopts containers predicts growth in its trade in years before that adoption actually occurred, that would be evidence that the "container" jump in trade was actually down to some other pre-existing trend).

The Economist

When Faint talks to me about his clowning, he occasionally adopts the pantomime squeak of his painted alter ego.

The Guardian

It has been suggested that the more a black woman adopts western standards of beauty – which tend to equate being thin with being beautiful – the more likely she is to suffer from an eating disorder.

The Guardian - Opinion

"He just woke up one morning and thought" – he adopts a silly voice – "'This is a good idea, isn't it?' We won't have the World Cup in 2018, and we certainly won't have it in 2022".

The Guardian

Now it argues that it would be wrong to assume "that an organisation adopts a particular position on an issue because it receives funding from an interested party": it might have formed the position first and received the money as a consequence.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Co-operative Group risks entrenching power in the hands of its management if it adopts a proposal to change how it selects its directors, the embattled mutual's former group secretary has warned.

The Guardian - Business

To break the monotony, he adopts an orphaned fledgling sparrow.

The Guardian

"There is also a political component because for Moscow it's very important that Greece adopts a harder position in relations with Brussels over the sanctions against Russia," Koltashov said.

The Guardian

The non-Tory press adopts a similar formula - Tory manifesto stories on the front pages; the dissection of the Labour manifesto in leaders.

The Guardian

"I also think it is most likely to occur when the Liberal party adopts a conscience vote and I think the chance of that are enhanced by Labor having a conscience vote," he said.

The Guardian

Dressing in order to be taken seriously indicates that the spectre of older, more explicit forms of sexism still hovers over us: a woman who adopts a more feminine style is too preoccupied with pretty things to be a serious academic, because a woman can't be both attractive and intelligent – if indeed she can be intelligent at all.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about organizations or institutions, use "adopts" to indicate the formal acceptance of a policy, standard, or practice. For example, "The company adopts a new environmental policy".

Common error

Avoid using "adopts" when describing personal characteristics or spontaneous actions. Using a term like "takes on" or "assumes" might be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "He adopts a sad expression", consider "He takes on a sad expression."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "adopts" is as a transitive verb, indicating that a subject is taking on or accepting something. It requires a direct object. Ludwig confirms that it's mostly utilized when referring to third-person singular subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "adopts" is a transitive verb frequently used to describe the formal acceptance or implementation of a new practice, policy, or system. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage across various contexts, especially in news, business, and academic writing. While it's grammatically sound, it's important to choose this word carefully, avoiding its application to spontaneous actions or personal characteristics where alternatives like "takes on" may be more suitable. By focusing on its formal and deliberate connotation, you can use "adopts" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

embraces

Implies a enthusiastic acceptance or support of an idea, practice, or change.

implements

Focuses on the practical execution or application of a plan or system.

takes on

Suggests assuming a responsibility, task, or characteristic.

assumes

Indicates taking something for granted or accepting it as true without proof.

incorporates

Implies including something as part of a whole or larger system.

endorses

Suggests a formal approval or public support.

sanctions

Implies official authorization or approval.

takes up

Indicates starting to learn or do something as a hobby or interest.

borrows

Suggests using something temporarily from another source.

appropriates

Implies taking something for one's own use, typically without permission or improperly.

FAQs

How can I use "adopts" in a sentence?

The word "adopts" is typically used to describe the action of accepting or starting to use a particular method, practice, or idea. For instance, "The school "adopts" a new teaching approach," or "The city "adopts" stricter environmental regulations."

What's a good synonym for "adopts"?

Alternatives to "adopts" include "embraces", "implements", or "takes on", each carrying slightly different connotations depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "adopts to" something?

No, the correct usage is "adopts" something. You do not need the preposition "to" after "adopts". For example, "The company "adopts" a new strategy" is correct, while "The company "adopts" to a new strategy" is not.

What is the difference between "adopts" and "adapts"?

"Adopts" means to take up or start to use something, whereas "adapts" means to adjust to new conditions. For example, a company "adopts" a new policy, while an animal "adapts" to a new environment.