reluctant to change

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reluctant to change" is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used to describe someone who is unwilling or hesitant to do something different. For example: Tom was reluctant to change his routine, even when presented with a better alternative.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm reluctant to change it".

The New York Times

Farmers are reluctant to change their practices.

MIT Technology Review

Rio and Vale were still reluctant to change the system.

The Economist

Unfortunately, there remain people who are reluctant to change.

The New Yorker

Governments are reluctant to change and want clear evidence.

The Economist

But the Pakistani army seems reluctant to change its thinking.

The Economist

"The challenge of working with a culture reluctant to change".

The Guardian

Other northern European states are reluctant to change it.

The Guardian

When health workers began working with grandmothers in 2012, the women were reluctant to change.

Princeton University

Many are simply reluctant to change, but will stop grumbling in due course.

The Economist

Vick has been reluctant to change his approach; not everyone may agree with that.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "reluctant to change", ensure the context clearly indicates who is reluctant and what specific change they are hesitant about. Providing context enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "reluctant to change" when a stronger term like "resistant" or "opposed" is more accurate. "Reluctant" implies hesitation, not necessarily outright rejection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reluctant to change" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of unwillingness or hesitation towards alteration or modification. Ludwig AI shows many examples with both exact and similar structures across a wide array of sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reluctant to change" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to express hesitation or unwillingness towards modification or alteration. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is prevalent across various contexts, including news media, academic research, and scientific publications. While alternatives like "hesitant to alter" or "unwilling to adapt" exist, "reluctant to change" provides a balanced and widely understood expression for conveying a lack of enthusiasm for change. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies who or what is hesitant and the specific nature of the change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hesitant to alter

Emphasizes a pause or delay before changing, indicating a degree of uncertainty.

unwilling to adapt

Highlights a stronger resistance to modification, focusing on a lack of willingness to adjust.

averse to modification

Implies a dislike or opposition to making changes, suggesting a negative preference.

disinclined to revise

Focuses on a lack of motivation or enthusiasm to make revisions or improvements.

opposed to transforming

Suggests a direct contradiction or resistance to a complete change or transformation.

resistant to innovation

Specifically indicates opposition to new ideas or methods, rather than change in general.

slow to embrace change

Highlights a delayed or gradual acceptance of change, rather than outright resistance.

cautious about shifting

Emphasizes the careful and considered nature of their hesitation to switch.

wary of modifying

Indicates a concern or apprehension about the potential consequences of modifying something.

indisposed to convert

Implies a personal reluctance or unsuitability to change or convert to something different.

FAQs

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

You can use "reluctant to change" to describe someone or something that is hesitant to adopt new methods or ideas. For example, "The company was "reluctant to change" its business model despite declining profits."

What are some alternatives to "reluctant to change"?

Alternatives include "hesitant to alter", "unwilling to adapt", or "averse to modification". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "reluctant to change" or "resistant to change"?

"Reluctant" suggests hesitation or unwillingness, while "resistant" implies a stronger opposition. Use "reluctant to change" when someone is hesitant but not actively fighting the change, and "resistant to change" when there is active opposition.

What's the difference between "reluctant to change" and "slow to change"?

"Reluctant to change" emphasizes a lack of willingness, whereas "slow to change" focuses on the pace of adaptation. Someone "reluctant to change" might avoid it altogether, while someone "slow to change" might eventually adapt but at a slower rate.