shifts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shifts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to changes or movements in position, direction, or focus, often in a context of time or perspective. Example: "The company has made significant shifts in its marketing strategy to adapt to changing consumer preferences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Big shifts have been triggered on the ground, too, with several Hollywood studios getting seriously involved in local productions.

The Guardian - Film

Workers in Pyongyang working in shifts at factories need stores to open earlier and close later than usual, the Choson Sinbo report noted.

The Guardian

It shifts her gaze to the US in 12 stories that explore the experiences of husbands and wives, parents and children, immigrants and permanent residents.

The Guardian

Runaway is among her best collections and displays all of Munro's mastery: the effortless shifts in time, sometimes across decades; the ability to convey an entire life in a few pages; the exploration of complex truths in uncomplicated language.

The Guardian

The story shifts to the US and centres on the surviving brother, who has married his brother's wife, each living fractured lives within impermeable carapaces.

The Guardian - Books

Ryan Lambert at Puck Daddy has some: "His personal underlying numbers (relative corsi of 9.0, fourth on the team) only seem to get better as he's sheltered from tough competition — he's facing the weakest opponents of anyone on the Flames, as you might expect — and beginning just 25 percent of his shifts in the defensive zone, and yet 48.5 percent end there.

The Guardian - Sport

He cited the long history of the civil rights movement as evidence that such cultural shifts take time.

The Guardian

As traders braced themselves for further shifts towards yes in polls due within days, the Nobel prize-winning economist Paul Krugman said Scottish voters needed to "be very afraid" about the risks of independence.

The Guardian

"I was doing six 13-hour shifts a week in a hospital just so that I could keep up my mortgage payments.

The Guardian

Monroe might still be a well-paid call handler for Essex fire service had she not resigned because she could no longer juggle night shifts and motherhood.

The Guardian

The acceptance of equal marriage is the consequence of three great inter-related shifts in the relationship between men and women.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing gradual changes, consider using "shifts" to emphasize a progressive or subtle movement over time.

Common error

Avoid using "shifts" when referring to sudden, drastic changes. Terms like "revolutions" or "overhauls" are more appropriate for conveying abrupt transformations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "shifts" is as a plural noun, often denoting changes in position, direction, or emphasis. Ludwig provides examples showing its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shifts" functions primarily as a plural noun to describe alterations or movements across various contexts. It maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal settings. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct. Its frequent use in News & Media highlights its broad applicability. When considering related terms, alternatives such as "changes", "movements", and "transitions" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. When using "shifts", ensure the context aligns with its connotation of gradual or subtle movement, avoiding its use for sudden, drastic transformations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

changes

Indicates alterations or modifications, emphasizing the result of becoming different.

movements

Refers to a change of position or location, highlighting the act of moving.

transitions

Suggests a process of changing from one state or condition to another, emphasizing the process.

alterations

Implies modifications or adjustments, often to improve or customize something.

variations

Denotes differences or deviations from a standard or norm, focusing on diversity.

fluctuations

Refers to irregular variations or changes, typically in quantity or value.

transformations

Suggests a significant change in form, nature, or appearance, indicating a major alteration.

modifications

Implies making limited changes to something, emphasizing adjustments or improvements.

realignments

Suggests a change in position or direction, particularly in relation to other things.

adjustments

Implies making small changes to achieve a desired fit or effect, focusing on fine-tuning.

FAQs

How can I use "shifts" in a sentence?

You can use "shifts" to describe changes in opinion, strategy, or physical position. For example: "There were significant "changes" in the company's policy after the new management took over."

What are some alternatives to the word "shifts"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "changes", "movements", or "transitions". Each alternative has its own nuances, so choose carefully.

Which is correct: "paradigm shifts" or "paradigm shift"?

"Paradigm shifts" is correct when referring to multiple instances of a fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions. "Paradigm shift" is used when referring to one such change.

What's the difference between "shifts" and "transfers"?

"Shifts" generally refer to changes in position, focus, or state. "Transfers" typically imply a movement of something from one place to another. For instance: "The manager announced a "transfer" of responsibility to a new team, following the "shifts" in market trends."