shift things around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shift things around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing rearranging items, tasks, or priorities in a flexible manner. Example: "To improve efficiency, we need to shift things around in our schedule to accommodate the new project deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

If you can get to a pool, a mellow swim can be really helpful – just being able to move your joints around in a weightless environment can help loosen up your hips and shift things around.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Once you see clearly what you're spending you may find areas to shift things around.

Forbes

"We had to shift things around.

BMC Health Services Research

(Senior leader #8) Another senior leader commented, "(Resources) weren't enough to cover the model, so we had to scramble and shift things around to be as true as we could to the model".

BMC Health Services Research

Shift things around.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Similarly, if there is a primal layout to a living room, what happens to it once the writing process has shifted things around?

The New York Times

Mezlekia has shifted things around, keeping the paraphernalia of Christian tradition but creating wars between fictional local gods and leaving out prophets of any persuasion.

The New York Times - Books

By shifting things around, the artist could play with new systems of grids and colours – rhomboidal compositions, the double line that appears in his work after 1932 – but he could also be true to his philosophical beliefs.

Independent

As one practitioner put it: I notice that [the researcher] is trying to think of new ways and shifting things around, but at certain points [the researcher] needs to stand firm, which I understand.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

We sort of did a new treatment and story breakdown because we were shifting things around; to go from two to three involved a restructure of the stories.

Huffington Post

Yet our breakup shifted things around for me in another, unexpected way.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shift things around" when you want to convey a sense of flexibility and adaptability in rearranging tasks, priorities, or physical objects. For example, "We need to shift things around to meet the deadline."

Common error

While "shift things around" is versatile, it may sound too informal in highly professional or academic settings. Opt for alternatives like "reorganize" or "rearrange" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "shift things around" is as a phrasal verb. Ludwig AI explains that it describes the act of reorganizing or rearranging items or priorities, often with a sense of flexibility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shift things around" is a phrasal verb used to describe rearranging items, tasks, or priorities, often to adapt to new situations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. While it is suitable for neutral to informal contexts, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "reorganize" or "rearrange". The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its versatility across news, science, and general contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reorganize items

Focuses specifically on rearranging physical items or elements.

rearrange matters

A more general term, applicable to situations or problems.

reorder priorities

Highlights changing the importance or sequence of tasks.

restructure affairs

Implies a more formal and systematic change in how things are organized.

adjust schedules

Focuses on modifying timelines or appointments.

tweak arrangements

Suggests making small, subtle changes rather than a complete overhaul.

shuffle positions

Implies moving people or roles within a group or organization.

recast plans

Suggests a more significant alteration or rethinking of existing plans.

juggle responsibilities

Specifically refers to managing multiple tasks or duties by reallocating time and effort.

alter configurations

Implies making changes to the settings or layout of something, often in a technical context.

FAQs

How can I use "shift things around" in a sentence?

You can use "shift things around" to describe rearranging items, tasks, or priorities. For example, "Let's "shift things around" to make room for the new furniture."

What are some alternatives to "shift things around"?

Alternatives include "rearrange", "reorganize", or "adjust", depending on the context.

Is "shift things around" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "shift things around" is generally more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. For formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives such as "restructure" or "reorder".

What's the difference between "shift things around" and "rearrange"?

"Shift things around" implies a more flexible and less structured approach to rearranging, while "rearrange" suggests a more organized and deliberate process. The choice depends on the specific context and the desired tone.