scramble to adjust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scramble to adjust" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone trying to quickly do something in response to a change of circumstances. For example, "When the government announced the new lockdown rules, businesses had to scramble to adjust."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Everyone would claim copyright on Blake's Jerusalem and political parties would scramble to adjust to the new realities.

The Guardian

The sales velocity at 150 Charles has stunned all involved and created a mad scramble to adjust to the demand.

The New York Times

A series later in The Chicago Tribune carried headlines that included "Brazil Threatens U.S. Soybean Dominance; Midwest Farmers Scramble to Adjust".

The New York Times

Balls are dipping and spinning in largely unpredictable directions, causing both players to nearly fall over several times as they scramble to adjust their positioning.

The New York Times

As the markets tremble, the polls tighten, the bookies scramble to adjust the odds, and the US presidential race enters its final, frantic days, the rhetoric – from the president down – grows more hysterical by the hour.

The Guardian

In the scramble to adjust after Mr. Giuliani quit the New York race, the initial belief in Mrs. Clinton's camp was that the old Gingrich script would work again, and that Mr. Gingrich remained an effective target in a state that he often invoked as an example of Democratic policies gone awry.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Behind the partisan fight are people scrambling to adjust.

The New York Times

Their companies, meanwhile, were scrambling to adjust to the new market conditions.

The New York Times

Suddenly, abortion was almost always legal everywhere, and activists scrambled to adjust.

The New Yorker

DETROIT — The Big Three automakers are scrambling to adjust their businesses to the reality of the market.

The New York Times

Even so, "Inventing Our Life" is a fascinating introduction to a movement scrambling to adjust enough to guarantee a future, without severing all ties to its principled past.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scramble to adjust" when you want to emphasize the urgency and sometimes chaotic nature of adapting to a sudden change. It's particularly apt when resources or time are limited.

Common error

While "scramble to adjust" is widely understood, avoid overusing it in highly formal documents, such as legal contracts or academic papers. Opt for more neutral and precise phrasing, like "quickly adapt" or "expedite changes", to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scramble to adjust" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a hurried and often disorganized effort to adapt to new conditions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scramble to adjust" is a common and correct way to describe a hurried effort to adapt to new circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various sources, particularly in news and media. While grammatically sound, it's best to avoid overusing it in highly formal contexts, opting instead for more neutral alternatives like "quickly adapt" or "expedite modifications". Remember that while related alternatives exists (such as "rush to adapt" and "swift adaptation"), the best choice always depends on the particular nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rush to adapt

Emphasizes speed and urgency in the adaptation process.

hustle to modify

Suggests energetic and possibly hurried changes.

race to revise

Implies a competitive aspect in making revisions.

hasten to change

Highlights the speed at which changes are made, possibly due to external pressure.

move quickly to adapt

Focuses on the speed and intention behind the adaptation.

scurry to alter

Conveys a sense of frantic activity in making alterations.

work rapidly to adapt

Highlights the active effort and swiftness in adapting.

expedite modifications

Emphasizes the acceleration of the modification process, potentially in a formal context.

swiftly make changes

Directly indicates the promptness of making changes.

swift adaptation

This alternative conveys the urgent need to change.

FAQs

How can I use "scramble to adjust" in a sentence?

You can use "scramble to adjust" to describe situations where people or organizations are making hasty efforts to adapt to new circumstances. For example: "After the new regulations were announced, the company had to scramble to adjust its operations."

What are some alternatives to "scramble to adjust"?

Some alternatives include "rush to adapt", "hustle to modify", or "swift adaptation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "scramble to adapt" or "scramble to adjust"?

Both phrases are valid and convey a similar meaning. "Scramble to adapt" might be slightly more appropriate when the changes require a fundamental shift, while "scramble to adjust" is suitable for finer, more nuanced changes.

When is it not appropriate to use "scramble to adjust"?

Avoid using "scramble to adjust" in highly formal or technical writing where a more neutral or precise term might be preferred. In such cases, consider alternatives like "quickly adapt" or "expedite modifications".