It’s adopt a document (meaning to accept or approve it).
Key takeaways:
Adapt refers to modifying or adjusting to new conditions, while adopt means to accept, take on, or start using something.
Both words are verbs but serve different purposes in communication.
Common mistakes often occur when these two words are confused due to their similar meanings in some contexts.
Part of the series Grammar Debugged—English for Devs
In the English language, while adapt and adopt may seem similar, they have distinct meanings that can change the entire meaning of a sentence. Understanding when and how to use each word correctly can improve your writing and communication. In this Answer, we’ll break down their definitions, proper usage, and common mistakes.
Adapt is a
She had to adapt her teaching methods to suit the online platform.
Animals adapt to their environment over time to survive.
He quickly adapted to the fast-paced work environment.
Adopt is a verb that means to accept or take on something as your own, such as a practice, idea, method, or even a pet. When you adopt something, you start using it or implementing it.
They decided to adopt a child from overseas.
The company adopted a more flexible work schedule to improve employee satisfaction.
She adopted a vegan lifestyle after learning about animal rights
Mistake 1: Using adapt when you mean adopt
Incorrect: She adapted the idea of working remotely.
Correct: She adopted the idea of working remotely.
Mistake 2: Using adopt in an environmental change context
Incorrect: The animals adopted to the new habitat.
Correct: The animals adapted to the new habitat.
Key aspects | Adopt | Adapt |
Purpose | To take on, accept, or start using something new | To change or adjust to new conditions |
Part of Speech | Verb | Verb |
Synonym | Accept, take on, embrace | Modify, adjust, conform |
Example | They adopted a new policy for remote work | She adapted her teaching style for the new platform |
Fill in the blanks with either adopt or adapt to test your understanding!
She had to __________ to the new time zone when she moved to the US.
adopt
The company will __________ a new software system next month to improve productivity.
adapt
He had to __________ his presentation style to suit the online meeting format.
They will __________ a flexible work-from-home policy starting next year.
To succeed in a new country, immigrants often need to __________ to the culture and customs.
In conclusion, adapt and adopt have distinct meanings that are important to understand for clear communication. Adapt involves adjusting or modifying something to fit new conditions, while adopt refers to taking something on as your own. Using these words correctly ensures accuracy, whether in writing or speech.
Check out our course on “Grokking the Technical Writing Process,” which will provide insights into technical writing, audience analysis, creating coherent paragraphs, iterative improvement, and mastering parts of speech and punctuation for impactful and well-structured communication.
Haven’t found what you were looking for? Contact Us
To enhance technical writing and minimize common grammar mistakes, continue exploring these topics:
Commonly confused words (homophones & similar-sounding words): These words sound alike but have different meanings and spellings.
Prepositions & usage differences: These words and phrases are often confused due to subtle contextual differences.
Punctuation & formatting: These involve rules for using dashes, abbreviations, and sentence structure.
Grammar & sentence structure: These deal with pronoun choices, verb usage, and comparison.
Free Resources