Adapt vs Adopt: What's the Difference?
What's the Difference?
Adapt means to modify or adjust, while adopt is used to mean to embrace or to take in as one's own, such as adopting a child.
Memory Tip: adapt = adjust, adopt = take on
adapt has /dæpt/, adopt has /dɒpt/
adapt
verbTo adapt means to change something in order to make it suitable for a new use or purpose.
Example:
Although the company has faced numerous challenges, it has successfully adapted its strategies to the changing market conditions.
Common patterns:
adapt to
adapt for
adapt quickly
adopt
verbTo adopt means to take up or start to use something, such as an idea, method, or policy, often implying a decision to make it one's own.
Example:
Although she had been considering different options for years, she decided to adopt the stray cat that kept appearing at her doorstep.
Common patterns:
adopt a policy
adopt a strategy
adopt a child
Common Mistakes
She decided to adapt a healthier lifestyle after the new year.
She decided to adopt a healthier lifestyle after the new year.
Adopt is correct because she is embracing a new lifestyle as her own.
The software needs to adopt to the new operating system.
The software needs to adapt to the new operating system.
Adapt is correct because the software needs to be modified to work with the new system.
Quick Practice
0/1 correct1. Although she had been considering different options for years, she decided to ____ the stray cat that kept appearing at her doorstep.
Other Confusing Words
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