Cool MateAdjust vs Move it around
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Adjust
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Move it around
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Adjust
| Adjust | Move it around | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈdʒʌst/","/əˈdʒʌsts/","/əˈdʒʌstɪd/","/əˈdʒʌstɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈdʒʌst/","/əˈdʒʌsts/","/əˈdʒʌstɪd/","/əˈdʒʌstɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //muːv ɪt əˈraʊnd//🇺🇸 //muːv ɪt əˈraʊnd// |
| Meaning | To change something slightly to make it better or more suitable. | To change the position of something. |
| Example | You need to adjust the brightness of your screen for better visibility. | Can you move it around to see if it fits better? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | slightly, finely, automatically, for, quickly, rapidly, gradually, be difficult to, be hard to, need time to, to | move around furniture, move it around gently, move things around, move it around frequently, move it around for fun |
| Antonyms | ignore, neglect, remain unchanged | - |
| 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'. | Confuse with 'move' alone, missing 'it'., Use 'move around it' instead of 'move it around'., Omit 'it' when 'it' is necessary. |
| 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 in both formal and informal contexts. Suitable when discussing physical objects or metaphoric ideas. Avoid in very technical or scientific discussions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Adjust vs Move it around
What's the difference between Adjust and Move it around?
Adjust: To change something slightly to make it better or more suitable. Move it around: To change the position of something.
Which is more common: Adjust and Move it around?
Adjust is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Adjust: You need to adjust the brightness of your screen for better visibility. Move it around: Can you move it around to see if it fits better?
Can I use Adjust and Move it around interchangeably?
Not always. Adjust and Move it around 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.