Objective Proficiency p 8. Changes. Vocabulary 2

Changes. Vocabulary

• Alter: /ˈɔːltə(r)/ 1. to become different; to make somebody/something different. E.g. Prices did not alter significantly during 2007. He had altered so much I scarcely recognized him. He altered his appearance with plastic surgery. Alter somebody/ something E.g. It doesn't alter the way I feel. Nothing can alter the fact that we are to blame. The landscape has been radically altered, severely damaging wildlife. This incident altered the whole course of events. Weather alters plans for beach goers 2. to make changes to a piece of clothing so that it will fit you better. E.g. We can have the dress altered to fit you.

• Adapt: /əˈdæpt/ 1. to change something in order to make it suitable for a new use or situation. Modify. Adapt something These styles can be adapted to suit individual tastes. Adapt something for something Most of these tools have been specially adapted for use by disabled people. 2. to change your behaviour in order to deal more successfully with a new situation. Adjust. E.g. It's amazing how soon you adapt. The organisms were forced to adapt in order to survive. Adapt to something E.g. We have had to adapt quickly/ effortlessly/ easily/completely to the new system. I adapt automatically to another person. A large organization can be slow to adapt to change. Adapt to college. Adapt to a new job. Adapt yourself to something E.g. It took him a while to adapt himself to his new surroundings. 3. Adapt something (for something) (from something) to change a book or play so that it can be made into a play, film/movie, television programme, etc. E.g. Three of her novels have been adapted for television.

• Modify: /ˈmɒdɪfaɪ/ to change something slightly, especially in order to make it more suitable for a particular purpose. Adapt. E.g. The software we use has been modified for us. Patients are taught how to modify their diet. We found it cheaper to modify existing equipment rather than buy new. He modified the design and thus ensured success. Our business plan has been modified substantially/ slightly/ subtly (/ˈsʌtli/ not very noticeable or obvious) during the past twelve months 2. Modify something to make something less extreme. Adjust. E.g. to modify your behaviour/ language/ views. 3. Modify something (grammar) a word, such as an adjective or adverb, that modifies another word or group of words describes it or restricts its meaning in some way. E.g. In ‘walk slowly’, the adverb ‘slowly’ modifies the verb ‘walk’.

• Adjust: /əˈdʒʌst/ 1. to change something slightly to make it more suitable for a new set of conditions or to make it work better. E.g. adjust something Watch out for sharp bends and adjust your speed accordingly. This button is for adjusting the volume.The brakes need to be adjusted. Adjust something to something Adjust your language to the age of your audience. 2. to get used to a new situation by changing the way you behave and/or think. Adapt. E.g. They'll be fine—they just need time to adjust. Adjust to something After a while his eyes adjusted to the dark. Adjust to doing something It took her a while to adjust to living alone. It can be difficult to adjust to being a parent. Adjust yourself to something You'll quickly adjust yourself to student life. My eyes were still trying to adjust themselves to the strong sunlight. 3. Adjust something to move something slightly so that it looks neater or feels more comfortable. E.g. He smoothed his hair and adjusted his tie. Adjust the height of the chair so that your forearms will be horizontal while typing.

• Amend: /əˈmend/ amend something to change a law, document, statement, etc. slightly in order to correct a mistake or to improve it. E.g. He asked to see the amended version. The law has been amended to read as follows:…
• Amendment: /əˈmendmənt/ 1. [C] [U] a small change or improvement that is made to a law or a document; the process of changing a law or a document. E.g. to introduce/ propose/ table an amendment (= to suggest it) Parliament passed the bill without further amendment. Amendment to something She made several minor amendments to her essay. 2. [C] Amendment a statement of a change to the Constitution of the US. E.g. The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote.

•  Metamorphose: /ˌmetəˈmɔːfəʊz/ metamorphose (something/somebody) (from something) (into something) to change or make something/somebody change into something completely different, especially over a period of time. Transform. E.g. The caterpillar will eventually metamorphose into a butterfly. The spotty teenager metamorphosed into a handsome young man.

•  Convert: /kənˈvɜːt/ 1. to change or make something change from one form, purpose, system, etc. to another. E.g. convert something (into something) The hotel is going to be converted into a nursing home. The pub is a converted warehouse. What rate will I get if I convert my dollars into euros? Hot water is converted to electricity by a turbine. Convert (from something) (into/to something) We've converted from oil to gas central heating. Convert into/to something a sofa that converts into a bed. 2. to change or make somebody change their religion or beliefs. E.g. Convert (from something) (to something) He converted from Christianity to Islam. Convert somebody (from something) (to something) She was soon converted to the socialist cause. 3. to change an opinion, a habit, etc. E.g. convert (from something) to something E.g. I've converted to organic food. Convert somebody (from something) (to something) I didn't use to like opera but my husband has converted me.

• Mutate: /mjuːˈteɪt/ 1. to develop or make something develop a new form or structure, because of a genetic change. E.g. Mutate (into something) the ability of the virus to mutate into new forms. Mutate something mutated genes. 2. to change into a new form. E.g. Rhythm and blues mutated into rock and roll.

• Evolve: /iˈvɒlv/ to develop gradually, especially from a simple to a more complicated form. E.g.  evolve (from something) (into something) The idea evolved from a drawing I discovered in the attic. The company has evolved into a major chemical manufacturer. Evolve something (from something) Each school must evolve its own way of working. 2. (biology) (of plants, animals, etc.) to develop over time, often many generations, into forms that are better adapted to survive changes in their environment. Evolve (from something) The three species evolved from a single ancestor. Evolve something The dolphin has evolved a highly developed jaw.

• Fluctuate: /ˈflʌktʃueɪt/ to change frequently in size, amount, quality, etc, especially from one extreme to another. Vary. E.g. fluctuating prices. During the crisis, oil prices fluctuated between $20 and $40 a barrel. Temperatures can fluctuate by as much as 10 degrees. My weight fluctuated wildly depending on how much I ate. My mood seems to fluctuate from day to day.The rate of inflation has been fluctuating around 4% for some time.
• Fluctuation: /ˌflʌktʃuˈeɪʃn/fluctuation (in/of something) E.g. wild fluctuations in interest rates.

• Revise something to change your opinions or plans, for example because of something you have learned. E.g. I can see I will have to revise my opinions of his abilities now. The government may need to revise its policy in the light of this report. 2. to change something, such as a book or an estimate, in order to correct or improve it. E.g. a revised edition of a textbook. I'll prepare a revised estimate for you. We may have to revise this figure upwards. 3. to prepare for an exam by looking again at work that you have done. E.g. I spent the weekend revising for my exam. I can't come out tonight. I have to revise. Revise something I'm revising Geography today.

• Develop: 1. to gradually grow or become bigger, more advanced, stronger, etc. E.g. The child is developing normally. Develop (from something) (into something) The place has rapidly developed from a small fishing community into a thriving (successful) tourist resort. Develop something (from something) (into something) She developed the company from nothing. 2. Develop something to think of or produce a new idea, product, etc. and make it successful. E.g. The company develops and markets new software. A new type of painkilling drug has recently been developed. 3.Develop (something) to begin to have something such as a disease or a problem. E.g. Her son developed asthma when he was two. The car developed engine trouble and we had to stop. 4. to start to happen or change, especially in a bad way. E.g. A crisis was rapidly developing in the Gulf. We need more time to see how things develop before we take action. 5. Develop (something) to start to have a skill, ability, quality, etc. that becomes better and stronger; to become better and stronger. E.g. He's developed a real flair (talent) for management. Their relationship has developed over a number of years. 6. Develop something to build new houses, factories, etc. on an area of land, especially land that was not being used effectively before. E.g. The site is being developed by a French company. 7. Develop something to treat film which has been used to take photographs with chemicals so that the pictures can be seen. E.g. I had the film developed yesterday.

•  Shift: 1. to move, or move something, from one position or place to another. E.g. Lydia shifted uncomfortably in her chair. Shift (from…) (to…) The action of the novel shifts from Paris to London. Shift something Could you help me shift some furniture? Shift something (from…) (to…) He shifted his gaze from the child to her.She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. 2. (Of a situation, an opinion, a policy etc.) to change from one state, position, etc. to another. E.g. Public attitudes towards marriage have shifted over the past 50 years. Government policy has already shifted subtly (/ˈsʌtli/ not very noticeable or obvious). Shift (from…) (to/towards/toward…) The balance of power shifted away from workers towards employers. Her sympathies gradually shifted to the side of the protesters. 3. To change your opinion of or attitude towards something, or change the way that you do something. E.g. Shift something We need to shift the focus of this debate. Shift something (from…) (to/towards/toward…) The new policy shifted the emphasis away from fighting inflation. 4. Shift responsibility/blame (for something) (onto somebody) to make somebody else responsible for something you should do or something bad that you have done. E.g. He tried to shift the blame for his mistakes onto his colleagues.

• Switch: 1. to change or make something change from one thing to another. E.g. switch (over) (from something) (to something) We're in the process of switching over to a new system of invoicing. We will have to switch over to a new currency. Switch between A and B Press these two keys to switch between documents on screen. Switch something (over) (from something) (to something) The meeting has been switched to next week. When did you switch jobs? We don't talk about any sex-related topics at home and my parents will switch TV channels if there are any sex or even kiss scenes2. To exchange one thing for another. Swap. E.g. switch something The dates of the last two exams have been switched. Switch something over/around/round I see you've switched the furniture around (= changed its position). Switch something with something Do you think she'll notice if I switch my glass with hers? He switched sides just days before the election. 

• Transfer: 1. To move from one place to another; to move something/somebody from one place to another. E.g. Transfer (from…) (to…) The film studio is transferring to Hollywood. (Especially North American English) If I spend a semester in Madrid, will my credits transfer? Transfer something/somebody (from…) (to…) How can I transfer money from my bank account to his? The patient was transferred to another hospital. (Especially North American English) I couldn't transfer all my credits from junior college. 2. To move from one job, school, situation, etc. to another; to arrange for somebody to move. Transfer (from…) (to…) Children usually transfer to secondary school at 11 or 12. He transferred to UCLA after his freshman year. Transfer somebody (from…) (to…) Ten employees are being transferred from the sales department. He was transferred to my department. 3. To move, or to move somebody, to a different sports team, especially a professional football ( soccer ) team. E.g. transfer (from…) (to…) He transferred to Everton for £6 million. Transfer somebody (from…) (to…) He was transferred from Spurs to Arsenal for a huge fee.

• Transform something/somebody (from something) (into something) to completely change the appearance or character of something, especially so that it is better. E.g. A new colour scheme will transform your bedroom. It was an event that would transform my life completely/ instantly/ radically.

• Vary: /ˈveəri/ 1. vary (in something) (of a group of similar things) to be different from each other in size, shape, etc. Differ. E.g. The students' work varies considerably in quality. The quality of the students' work varies considerably. New techniques were introduced with varying degrees of success. Why do estimates vary in price so much? 2. to change or be different according to the situation. Vary with something The menu varies with the season. Vary according to something Prices vary according to the type of room you require. Vary from something to something Pulse rates vary slightly from person to person. Vary (between A and B) Class numbers vary between 25 and 30. ‘What time do you start work?’ ‘It varies.’ 3. Vary something to make changes to something to make it slightly different. E.g. The job enables me to vary the hours I work. The aerobics instructor varies the routine each week. I need to vary my diet considerably. In this restaurant they vary the menu greatly/ widely. I like to vary my routine.

• Revamp something (V) /ˌriːˈvæmp/ to make changes to the form of something, usually to improve its appearance. E.g. revamp your wardrobe. Revamp (N) /ˈriːvæmp/ E.g. Could your kitchen do with a revamp?