we adapted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we adapted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing changes made in response to new conditions or circumstances. Example: "In order to meet the new market demands, we adapted our business strategy to focus more on online sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We adapted.

The Guardian - Sport

"We adapted it for 2002".

The New York Times - Sports

We adapted well to Stoke's negativity.

The Guardian - Sport

We adapted the threshold that was commonly used in geomorphology38.

Nature

Then we adapted the American model to our own needs".

The New York Times - Arts

I thought we adapted really well to the conditions.

The Guardian - Sport

"I was pleased how we adapted in that second innings.

The Guardian - Sport

But we adapted and got through in the end".

The Guardian - Sport

Have we adapted well enough and what can we improve?

The Guardian

"I think we adapted better than the U.S. team did".

The New York Times - Sports

We adapted our needs to those of our neighbours.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing scientific processes, use "we adapted" to clearly state modifications made to existing methods or models to suit the specific experimental context.

Common error

Avoid using "we adapted" when the intent is to replicate someone else's work without modification. Adaptation implies making changes to something to suit a new purpose or condition, not simply copying it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we adapted" functions as a declarative statement indicating that a change or modification was made in response to a specific situation. As Ludwig indicates, this construction is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we adapted" is a versatile and commonly used expression to convey modifications in response to evolving conditions. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, supported by numerous examples across varied contexts, including news, science, and academia. When choosing alternatives, consider nuances in meaning between options like "adjusted", "modified", and "altered" to align with the degree of change intended. While generally neutral, writers should avoid confusing adaptation with mere imitation, and maintain focus on proactive modifications when using "we adapted".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we adjusted

Replaces "adapted" with "adjusted", implying a slight change or modification to fit new conditions.

we modified

Substitutes "adapted" with "modified", suggesting a more significant change or alteration.

we altered

Replaces "adapted" with "altered", indicating a fundamental change in form or character.

we transformed

Suggests a comprehensive change, implying a metamorphosis in response to new conditions, instead of "adapted".

we converted

Emphasizes changing into a new form or state, instead of "adapted".

we evolved

Implies a gradual development and change over time, instead of "adapted".

we conformed

Suggests aligning with existing standards or rules, instead of proactive adaptation.

we acclimated

Focuses on becoming accustomed to a new environment or condition, instead of "adapted".

we became accustomed

Indicates a process of getting used to something, shifting the focus from active adaptation to passive acceptance.

we reconfigured

Highlights rearranging or restructuring something, instead of a general adaptation.

FAQs

How do I use "we adapted" in a sentence?

Use "we adapted" to describe how your team or organization changed its approach in response to new conditions. For example, "When the market shifted, "we adapted" our strategy to focus on online sales".

What can I say instead of "we adapted"?

Alternatives include "we adjusted", "we modified", or "we altered", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "we adapted to" or "we adapted for"?

While both can be correct depending on the context, "we adapted to" is more common when referring to changing to fit a new environment or situation, while "we adapted for" is used when preparing something for a specific purpose. For example, "We adapted to the new regulations" versus "We adapted the software for mobile use".

What's the difference between "we adapted" and "we adopted"?

"We adapted" means we changed something to suit a new purpose or condition, while "we adopted" means we took something and started using it. For example, "We adapted the curriculum to better serve our students' needs," versus "We adopted a new policy on flexible working".