Cool MateAdjust vs Alter
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Adjust
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Alter
Beyond 10,000 (less common)B2verb
Most common: Adjust
| Adjust | Alter | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈdʒʌst/","/əˈdʒʌsts/","/əˈdʒʌstɪd/","/əˈdʒʌstɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈdʒʌst/","/əˈdʒʌsts/","/əˈdʒʌstɪd/","/əˈdʒʌstɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈɔːltə//🇺🇸 //ˈɔltɚ// |
| Meaning | To change something slightly to make it better or more suitable. | To change something. |
| Example | You need to adjust the brightness of your screen for better visibility. | The dress was altered to fit better. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | slightly, finely, automatically, for, quickly, rapidly, gradually, be difficult to, be hard to, need time to, to | alter the course, alter the agreement, alter the design, alter behavior, alter personality |
| Antonyms | ignore, neglect, remain unchanged | preserve, maintain, retain |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'adapt', which means changing to fit new conditions., Using 'adjust' as a noun, e.g., 'the adjust needs to be made' instead of 'the adjustment needs to be made'., Incorrectly assuming 'adjust' needs a preposition, e.g., 'adjust to something' instead of just 'adjust something'. | Confusing with 'change' - 'alter' usually implies a more significant adjustment., Using 'alter' without an object - it should always follow an object., Incorrectly using 'altered' as a noun. |
| Usage notes | Use 'adjust' when talking about small changes. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts, but avoid using it in overly casual speech like slang conversations. | Use 'alter' when you want to indicate a change or modification. It is more formal than 'change'. Avoid using it for very minor or trivial adjustments. |
Frequently asked questions: Adjust vs Alter
What's the difference between Adjust and Alter?
Adjust: To change something slightly to make it better or more suitable. Alter: To change something.
Which is more common: Adjust and Alter?
Adjust is the most common in everyday English.
Are Adjust and Alter the same CEFR level?
Adjust: B2, Alter: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Adjust and Alter interchangeably?
Not always. Adjust and Alter are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.