timid to change

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "timid to change" is not correct in standard written English.
A more appropriate expression would be "timid about change." Example: "She was timid about change, hesitant to embrace new opportunities that came her way."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Dial-up has life in it as a lowest common denominator and will linger on, even in the developed world, particularly among the rural, the elderly and the contrary those too far from telephone exchanges for broadband, too timid to change, or all too happy with dial-up's limited speed.Technology Quarterly Plan B for global warming?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In the years after Cardenas's powerful showing in the 1988 race, Mexico did, in its timid way, begin to change.

The New York Times - Magazine

In his marvellous book Strangers to Ourselves, Timothy Wilson tells the rather touching story of Marcia Muller, an unemployed and timid woman who wanted to change herself - and become an author.

Huffington Post

Involve the community and do quite a lot.'" The same FP noted 'a significant level of intimidation' from the teachers, and perceived the risk that this would create timid FPs, not daring to change the status quo.

BMC Family Practice

The white paper is a politically timid, if long-overdue, attempt to change direction.In this section An inspector calls On the brink of recession?

The Economist

Timid liberal politicians failed to use the financial crisis as a catalyst to change the system, and I couldn't help but wonder if this speech will be looked back on with the same sense of missed opportunity.

Vice

Cairenes often shrug off stoplights and traffic rules and what more timid souls might call prudence, Dr. Khedr noted, and the revolution has done nothing to change this.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, Gov. George Pataki has been too timid to offer any meaningful change to the drug laws.

The New York Times

She screams that she is afraid of horses and has to be rscued and led across by a gentleman who had been too timid to cross until the lights changed.

The New Yorker

Many theories have been put forward over the years from politicians being too quick to put their names to campaigns to save local hospitals to NHS leaders - both doctors and managers - being too timid to put the case for change.

BBC

Mr Prodi's government cut public borrowing and improved tax collection, but proved too timid to take on the vested interests that always resist change.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using more grammatically standard phrases like "hesitant about change" or "reluctant to change" to convey the intended meaning of being cautious or unwilling to embrace new developments. These alternatives are more widely accepted and understood.

Common error

Avoid using "to" directly after "timid" when describing a general reluctance towards change. Instead, use "about" (e.g., "timid about change"). The preposition "to" typically indicates direction or purpose, not a general feeling of apprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "timid to change" functions as a descriptive phrase, attempting to convey a sense of reluctance or apprehension towards change. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect, advising against its use in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

29%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "timid to change" might seem like a straightforward way to describe someone's reluctance to embrace change, Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically incorrect and not standard English. With only one exact match, the frequency of the expression is rare, and a more accepted phrase such as "hesitant about change" or "reluctant to change" should be used. Although the search results show the phrase appearing in various sources including news, science, and wikis, it's best to opt for grammatically correct alternatives, especially in formal and professional contexts. Consider using phrases like "apprehensive about change" or "cautious about change" to better convey your meaning. This ensures clarity and adherence to grammatical conventions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hesitant about change

Uses "hesitant" as a substitute for "timid", indicating a pause or reluctance before embracing change.

reluctant to embrace change

Replaces "timid" with "reluctant", highlighting unwillingness or disinclination towards change.

apprehensive about change

Replaces "timid" with "apprehensive", suggesting a feeling of anxiety or fear about potential changes.

cautious about adopting change

Substitutes "timid" with "cautious" and adds "adopting" to specify the action, suggesting a careful approach to new changes.

fearful of change

Replaces "timid" with "fearful", emphasizing the fear associated with change.

uneasy with change

Expresses a feeling of discomfort or anxiety related to change.

averse to change

Uses "averse" to indicate a strong dislike or opposition to change.

uncomfortable with change

Conveys a sense of unease and lack of comfort when facing change.

resistant to change

Indicates opposition and a proactive attempt to prevent changes from occurring.

unenthusiastic about change

Highlights a lack of excitement or eagerness regarding change.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "timid to change"?

No, the phrasing "timid to change" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. More appropriate alternatives include "hesitant about change" or "reluctant to change".

What's a better way to phrase "timid to change"?

Instead of "timid to change", consider using phrases like "apprehensive about change", "cautious about change", or "fearful of change". These alternatives are more grammatically sound and widely understood.

Can I use "timid to change" in formal writing?

It is not recommended to use "timid to change" in formal writing. Opt for more accepted phrases such as "reluctant to embrace change" or "resistant to change" to maintain a professional tone.

How does "timid to change" differ from "hesitant about change"?

While both phrases convey a sense of reluctance, "timid to change" is not grammatically standard. "Hesitant about change" is a more correct and commonly used way to express a similar meaning.