bring about a change

USAGE SUMMARY

"bring about a change" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about a situation or process that has been significantly altered in some way, usually in a positive way. For example, "The introduction of a new policy helped bring about a change in the company's financial status."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Furthermore, we recognise that targeting people with (for example) low self-efficacy and thereby increasing self-efficacy may not necessarily bring about a change in intention.

BMC Health Services Research

To bring about a change in attitudes and practices, CMs work not only with families and individuals, but with entire communities through community support groups.

Unicef

What will it take to bring about a change?

The Guardian - Opinion

But the stinging defeat helped bring about a change in strategy.

The New York Times

The challenge is how to bring about a change without someone getting their hands dirty".

Independent

Only education can bring about a change in the radical mind-set.

The New York Times

It's time to bring about a change about what's going on.

The New York Times

The only thing that can bring about a change here is American foreign policy.

The New Yorker

I hope the low ratings can bring about a change to bring the rest of the country back in.

The New York Times - Sports

This escalating discipline protects the community but is also intended to bring about a change of heart in the outcast.

The New York Times

The aim is to bring about a change in the way everyone views healthcare and the NHS, he says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bring about a change" when you want to emphasize the act of causing or initiating a change, rather than simply observing or describing it. This implies agency and intentionality.

Common error

Avoid using "bring about a change" without specifying what kind of change you are referring to. Vague statements like "We need to bring about a change" can lack impact. Instead, provide specific details to clarify the intended outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bring about a change" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the act of causing or initiating a transformation. Ludwig's examples show its frequent use in diverse contexts to denote the active instigation of modifications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bring about a change" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to express the act of initiating or causing a transformation. As indicated by Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and formal business communications. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly identifies the specific aspect undergoing change. By specifying the type of change and avoiding vague statements, you can effectively communicate the intended outcome and impact. Consider using alternatives like "effect a transformation" or "cause a shift" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause a shift

Highlights a directional change.

effect a transformation

Emphasizes a significant and comprehensive alteration.

trigger a transition

Emphasizes initiating a move from one state to another.

initiate a modification

Highlights the start of an alteration process.

enact a reform

Implies a systematic or structural change.

foster an adjustment

Suggests nurturing or promoting a change.

prompt an innovation

Focuses on introducing something new or improved.

generate a development

Focuses on the creation of a new stage or event.

induce a conversion

Implies a change in belief or form.

precipitate an evolution

Indicates speeding up a gradual change.

FAQs

How can I use "bring about a change" in a sentence?

Use "bring about a change" to indicate causing or initiating an alteration. For example, "The new regulations will "bring about a change" in industry practices."

What phrases are similar to "bring about a change"?

Similar phrases include "effect a transformation", "cause a shift", or "initiate a modification". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "bring about a change" or "make a change"?

"Bring about a change" suggests actively causing a change to occur, while "make a change" is more general. Use "bring about a change" when emphasizing the process of initiating the change. They are mostly interchangeable, but "bring about a change" usually implies a larger, more significant change.

What's the difference between "bring about a change" and "implement a change"?

"Bring about a change" focuses on initiating the change, whereas "implement a change" emphasizes putting the change into effect. You "bring about a change" when you start it, and you implement it when you make it happen.