Adapt vs Alter vs Change vs Modify

Quando usar cada um em inglês, com significado, registro e exemplos.

Adapt

Top 1000 (muito comum) B2 verb

Alter

Acima de 10.000 (menos comum) B2 verb

Change

Top 1000 (muito comum) A1 verb

Modify

Top 2000 (comum) B2 verb

	Adapt	Alter	Change	Modify
Pronúncia	🇬🇧 /["/əˈdæpt/","/əˈdæpts/","/əˈdæptɪd/","/əˈdæptɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/əˈdæpt/","/əˈdæpts/","/əˈdæptɪd/","/əˈdæptɪŋ/"]/	🇬🇧 //ˈɔːltə// 🇺🇸 //ˈɔltɚ//	🇬🇧 /["/tʃeɪndʒ/","/ˈtʃeɪndʒɪz/","/tʃeɪndʒd/","/ˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/tʃeɪndʒ/","/ˈtʃeɪndʒɪz/","/tʃeɪndʒd/","/ˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/ˈmɒdɪfaɪ/","/ˈmɒdɪfaɪz/","/ˈmɒdɪfaɪd/","/ˈmɒdɪfaɪɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈmɑːdɪfaɪ/","/ˈmɑːdɪfaɪz/","/ˈmɑːdɪfaɪd/","/ˈmɑːdɪfaɪɪŋ/"]/
Significado	Mudar algo para que funcione melhor numa nova situação. To change something so it works better in a new situation.	To change something. To change something.	tornar algo diferente to make something different	Mudar algo para torná-lo melhor ou diferente. Change something to make it better or different.
Exemplo	In order to survive in this changing climate, species must adapt to their new environments.	The dress was altered to fit better.	I decided to change my hairstyle for the summer.	You can modify the document by adding new sections.
Registro	Neutro	Neutro	Neutro	Neutro
Quão comum	Top 1000 (muito comum)	Acima de 10.000 (menos comum)	Top 1000 (muito comum)	Top 2000 (comum)
Nível CEFR	B2	B2	A1	B2
Classe gramatical	verb	verb	verb	verb
Colocações	successfully, well, quickly, be able to, can, be unable to, to, the ability to adapt, find it difficult to adapt, find it hard to adapt, for, from, specially adapted, for, from, specially adapted	alter the course, alter the agreement, alter the design, alter behavior, alter personality	considerably, dramatically, drastically, from, into, to, change out of all recognition, considerably, dramatically, drastically, from, into, to, change out of all recognition, considerably, dramatically, drastically, from, into, to, change out of all recognition	considerably, drastically, extensively, have to, need to, for, highly modified, in a modified form, modified to fit something
Antônimos	resist, reject, refuse	preserve, maintain, retain	remain, stay	maintain, preserve, keep
Erros comuns	'Adapt to' vs. 'adapt for': Confusing these phrases., Using 'adopt' instead of 'adapt': These words have different meanings., Omitting the object: Forgetting to specify what is being adapted.	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.	Confused with 'exchange' which means to swap something., Using 'change' without an object, e.g., saying 'I change' instead of 'I change my clothes'., 'Changed' and 'change' misused in verb forms.	Confusing with 'modification', which is the noun form., Using 'modify' without an object, which is incorrect., Overusing 'modify' instead of synonyms like 'change' or 'adjust' in casual speech.
Notas de uso	Use 'adaptar' ao falar sobre fazer alterações para se ajustar a novas condições ou requisitos. É apropriado em contextos formais e informais, mas é frequentemente usado em discussões sobre aprendizagem ou ajuste a novos ambientes. Use 'adapt' when talking about making changes to fit new conditions or requirements. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts but is often used in discussions about learning or adjusting to new environments.	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. 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.	Use 'change' para falar sobre fazer modificações ou alterações. É apropriado tanto na fala quanto na escrita, em contextos casuais ou formais. Evite usá-lo em situações que exijam um termo mais específico, como 'transformar' ou 'alterar'. Use 'change' when talking about making modifications or alterations. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English, in casual or formal contexts. Avoid using it in a situation that requires a more specific term, like 'transform' or 'alter'.	Use 'modificar' ao discutir mudanças em planos, documentos ou objetos. É neutro, então é apropriado na maioria dos contextos, como em ambientes acadêmicos ou de negócios. Use 'modify' when discussing changes to plans, documents, or objects. It's neutral, so it's appropriate in most contexts, such as academic or business settings.

Veja em clipes reais

Top Gear › S1 E1

which means they're going to change the bumpers and the bonnet

- Unimportant? Oh, here, you try it. - No, nobody wants to change.

Succession › S1 E1

And you never lawyered the trust change.

Top Gear › S1 E1

which means they're going to change the bumpers and the bonnet

- Unimportant? Oh, here, you try it. - No, nobody wants to change.

Change

Perguntas frequentes: Adapt vs Alter vs Change vs Modify

Qual é a diferença entre Adapt, Alter, Change e Modify?

Adapt: To change something so it works better in a new situation. Alter: To change something. Change: to make something different Modify: Change something to make it better or different.

Adapt, Alter, Change e Modify estão no mesmo nível CEFR?

Adapt: B2, Alter: B2, Change: A1, Modify: B2 na escala CEFR.

Que classe gramatical são Adapt, Alter, Change e Modify?

Adapt: verb, Alter: verb, Change: verb, Modify: verb.

Pode mostrar um exemplo de cada?

Adapt: In order to survive in this changing climate, species must adapt to their new environments. Alter: The dress was altered to fit better. Change: I decided to change my hairstyle for the summer. Modify: You can modify the document by adding new sections.

Posso usar Adapt, Alter, Change e Modify de forma intercambiável?

Nem sempre. Adapt, Alter, Change e Modify são relacionadas e às vezes se sobrepõem, mas diferem em registro, frequência e uso, então trocar uma pela outra pode mudar o sentido ou o tom. Veja as diferenças acima antes de substituir.