change it to

USAGE SUMMARY

"change it to" is a valid phrase in written English.
Example: Can you change the color to blue? Change it to a lighter shade.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And change it to fit ourselves".

The New York Times

Can I change it to different keys?

The New York Times

"I had them change it to hatchet".

The New York Times - Arts

I couldn't change it to Pete Brown.

The Guardian - Books

Ask them to change it to Choice".

The Guardian

You can change it to any color you like.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Another British publisher said, "Change it to the modern idiom".

The New York Times

Then we had to change it to "clam damn".

The New Yorker

One British publisher said, "Change it to nonfiction".

The New York Times

"We could change it to the Boer War".

The New Yorker

MR. GRACE -- You'd have to change it to squirrels.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to modify something, use "change it to" to clearly indicate the desired new state or configuration. For example, "Change the font to Arial" provides a specific alteration target.

Common error

Ensure the pronoun "it" is clearly defined in the context to prevent confusion about what needs to be changed. Instead of saying "Change it to something else", specify what "it" refers to, such as "Change the password to something else."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "change it to" functions as a phrasal verb indicating an action of transformation or modification. It directs the user to alter something to a new state or form. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across a multitude of examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

31%

News & Media

30%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "change it to" is a common and versatile phrasal verb used to instruct or suggest modifying something to a different state or form. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, from news and media to academic writing and wikis. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure clarity by explicitly stating what "it" refers to. Alternatives like "convert it to", "transform it into", and "modify it to" can provide more specific nuances depending on the context. Avoiding ambiguity and choosing the right synonym enhances the effectiveness of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

convert it to

Focuses on transforming something into a different form or system.

transform it into

Emphasizes a significant change in form or appearance.

modify it to

Highlights making specific alterations to achieve a desired outcome.

adapt it for

Implies adjusting something to suit a new purpose or condition.

adjust it for

Suggests making fine tunings for improved performance or fit.

revise it to

Indicates reviewing and making necessary corrections or improvements.

remodel it into

Focuses on restructuring or redesigning for a different purpose.

restyle it as

Highlights changing the appearance or presentation.

reshape it into

Emphasizes altering the form or structure of something.

recast it as

Suggests presenting something in a new or different role.

FAQs

How can I use "change it to" in a sentence?

The phrase "change it to" is used to instruct or suggest modifying something to a different state or form. For example, "If you don't like the color, "change it to" blue" or "Change it to the default settings if the current configuration is not working properly."

What are some alternatives to "change it to"?

Instead of "change it to", you can use phrases like "convert it to", "transform it into", or "modify it to" depending on the specific context and the degree of alteration you want to emphasize.

Is it correct to say "change it to" or should I use another phrase?

"Change it to" is a perfectly correct and commonly used phrase in English. However, the best phrase to use depends on the specific context. For example, if you are talking about converting a file format, "convert it to" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "change it to" and "make it"?

"Change it to" implies altering something to a specific new state, whereas "make it" is more general and can refer to creating something or causing it to be in a certain condition. For instance, "Change it to blue" specifies a new color, while "make it better" suggests improving its overall quality.