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Collocations for «change»Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word «change» in context. WordReference English Collocations © 2023 changeⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK. v
n
n as adj
‘change‘ also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations): |
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English Collocations to describe CHANGE
Collocations to talk about change
In the IELTS and Cambridge exams, you will most likely be asked about CHANGE. These questions can take a wide variety of forms, including the following:
How has your city changed over the past 20 years?
Do you think that transportation in your country will change over the next two decades?
How is your life different today from when you were a teenager?
When learning vocabulary, you should always learn COLLOCATIONS. Collocations are groups of two or more words that usually go together. The following list of words can be used to create collocations to talk about change!
Enormous
Minute
Total
Sweeping
Dramatic
Complete
Immense
Gradual
Moderate
Minor
Drastic
Tremendous
Slight
Complete
Here are some sample sentences using these collocations:
The new law has brought about an ENORMOUS CHANGE in driving habits.
They promised us a large raise but I have only seen a MINUTE CHANGE in my salary.
I’m bored with my life. I need a TOTAL CHANGE of direction
Politicians always promise SWEEPING CHANGE but never deliver on their promises.
Can you make some sample sentences with the rest? Give it a go and see how you do!
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Here you will learn English phrases related to change. You will also expand your vocabulary by learning 7 other verbs you can use to say TO CHANGE in English.
English Collocations related to CHANGE
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If there was no change, we would not exist. Change is a necessary part of life and you need to know how to talk about changes in English. Let’s have a look at some English expressions and phrases related to change.
How to Talk about Changes in English — Phrases Related to Change
change a light bulb
probably, one of the most common phrases related to change in English. If the light does not work (an electric light) in your overhead light or lamp (desk lamp or wall lamp) then you need to replace it with a new one. We change a light bulb.
change a nappy
Anyone with children will know all about this. Young children are not toilet trained (they do not know how to use the toilet) and therefore we constantly need to keep them clean and dry particularly after feeding them.
Old fashioned nappies when my children were young were made of cloth or towelling so not only did you change them but you also had to wash them (yes, I know!!).
However, today we use Pampers or Huggies or some other brand of disposable nappies that once used and disposed of can be replaced with a clean one. So we change a nappy.
change your mind
Once you have decided on something you might decide on another action and this is known as changing your mind, changing from an earlier decision to another action or event.
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INSANITY: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
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change jobs
We all change our workplace several times during our working life. Some people more than others until they find their dream job. So when you move from one employer to another you change jobs.
change clothes
We have different outfits that we like to wear on different occasions. We wear work clothes for work, training clothes for going to the gym and casual clothes when relaxing. I will change my clothes and be with you in a minute.
change a wheel / a tyre
When you are driving a car and you get a puncture (there is no air in your tyre) you have to stop and change the wheel.
All cars have a spare wheel in the boot and this is used to replace the punctured or damaged wheel.
If the tyre is ripped (cut) then you may need to buy a new tyre and the garage will change it for you.
Other Words for Change in English
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to alter
We alter clothes that are too long or not wide enough. We go to a tailor and they alter (adjust) to fit us better.
I bought a new suit. The trousers were too long. The man in the shop measured them and promised to alter them in 2 days.
to adapt
When we move to a new country or change jobs we have to adjust how we work or how we communicate. We adapt to our new surroundings. We get used to a new way of life.
I moved to Germany and it took me a while to adapt to the new lifestyle.
to convert
Also means to change.
Often if someone changes their religion they are said to convert to another religion. Protestant to Catholic or Catholic to Buddhism.
We can convert currency.
He converted his euros to dollars in time for his holiday or exchanged euros for dollars.
to shift
Also means to change. We can change or shift our position. Sitting in one position for a long time you become stiff or tired so you shift your position to become more comfortable.
You will normally shift your position on the chair from time to time.
to vary
Another verb for to change. To vary is to change something you do.
For example,
- to vary (change) your diet to introduce more fibre, less fat or sugar
- to vary the journey to go to work if there is more than one way to go
I varied my journey to work so as to avoid boredom.
to transform
to change something or somebody into something else and usually make it better
They transformed the old school building into a four-bedroom, modern home.
to modify
to partially change the form or qualities of, to alter something
The data was modified by another user while I was working on this file.
Other Expressions and Phrases Related to Change
We also have some English expressions that include the word change.
Have you any loose change? I need some money for bus fare.
Loose change is usually small coins 10c, 20c,50c etc
They can be a nuisance when you have too many but are always useful for the parking meter or a tram or bus fare.
Can you change this, please?
Usually, an expression you use when you need some notes smaller than say a €50 or €100 note.
John went into the shop to buy a coffee. The coffee cost €3.50 All he had in his pocket was a €50 note. He asked the waiter if he could change a fifty euro note. The waiter was not very pleased.
And not to forget to mention Winds of Change – forces (forces of nature, or other forces) that have the power to change things or events — used generally to mean change is going to happen. Have you heard the famous song by the German rock band Scorpions Wind of Change?
Your Homework for now is to practise talking about changes in English and use some of the phrases related to change. And, of course, you can write some of your sentences in the comments below. Have fun!
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the situation of becoming or being made different
Adjectives frequently used with change
big or important: dramatic, drastic, far-reaching, fundamental, lasting, major, profound, radical, significant, substantial, sweepingThe population problem is going to be difficult to solve, and will involve a major change in social thinking.small: minor, slight, small, subtleThere was a subtle change in the weather.fast/slow: gradual, rapid, suddenAfter the war the shipping industry experienced a rapid change.types of change: behavioural, climatic, constitutional, cultural, demographic, environmental, legislative, social, structural, technologicalThe behavioural changes that occur in people with Huntington’s disease are often very distressing.
Nouns frequently used before change
career, climate, culture, lifestyle, mood, name, policy, regime, temperatureLifestyle changes can help reduce the severity of the illness.
Verbs frequently used with change
suggest a change: proposeThey proposed changes to the school curriculum.make a change happen: bring about, cause, effect, implement, initiate, introduce, makeWe’ve made changes to the way we present information.experience a change: experience, undergoThe website has undergone radical changes in the last year.not want a change: resistIt was inevitable that the policy would be criticized by conservatives within the party who perpetually resist change.want a change: embrace, welcomeThe catering staff have embraced the changes.be a sign of change: heraldThis new initiative heralds a major change in hospital funding.
Verbs that frequently follow change
happen: happen, occur, result from something, take placeMajor changes resulted from the feedback process.By 1900 many social changes had also taken place.have as a result: result in somethingRecent changes have resulted in a marked increase in production.
change
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social change
In addition to the specific limitations, there is the general caution which should be exercised in using historical data to document social change.
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major change
A major change in the ways of doing work .
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enthalpy change
In reaction systems at constant pressure the change in energy is given by the enthalpy change.
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have to change
‘I have to change.’
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rate of change
The rate of change of money wages is measured along the vertical axis and the excess demand variable,, is measured along the horizontal axis.
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change when
I have hopes that one day this will all change when funds allow me to produce a ‘scratch ‘n’ sniff’ version of this column.
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material change
A change of intention will normally be permitted only when a significant time has elapsed or a material change of circumstances has occurred sufficient to justify the person’s change of intention.
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want to change
If you want to change, you create something you can pass down to the young.
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try to change
Bonar Law might dislike the social round and might rarely visit the Carlton Club, but he did not try to change its role.
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important change
Indeed, to change this evaluation and thus leave Plato behind is the most important change we have to bring about.
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fundamental change
Did the experience of plenty bring about a fundamental change in the American or British character?