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Prepositions after verbs

adjust to or adjust for?

Adjust to means become accustomed to something. Adjust for means change something because of a condition or factor.

Quick answer

Adjust to vs. adjust for

Use adjust to for adapting to a new situation. Use adjust for when changing something to allow for conditions, differences, or special needs.

It took her months to adjust to remote work.
The camera adjusts for low light.
We adjusted the schedule for traffic delays.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
adjust to + change/situation

Become accustomed to something

Use adjust to for adaptation and getting used to new conditions.

Children often adjust quickly to a new school.
2
adjust for + factor

Change something because of a condition

Use adjust for when compensating for differences or circumstances.

The budget was adjusted for inflation.
3
adjust + object

Change or modify something

Adjust can also take a direct object without a preposition.

She adjusted the mirror.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
adjust to
He adjusted to city life.
become familiar or comfortable with something
adjust for
The software adjusts for screen size.
compensate for a factor or condition
adjust + object
Please adjust the seat.
change or move something slightly

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using for with adaptation

Use to when talking about becoming accustomed to something.

✕ She adjusted for her new job. ✓ She adjusted to her new job.

Using to for compensation

Use for when changing something because of conditions.

✕ The figures were adjusted to inflation. ✓ The figures were adjusted for inflation.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. It was hard to adjust ___ the colder climate.
2. The lens adjusts ___ bright sunlight.
3. She adjusted ___ microphone before speaking.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between adjust to and adjust for?

Adjust to means adapt. Adjust for means modify something because of conditions or differences.

Can adjust be transitive?

Yes. You can adjust an object such as a chair, mirror, or schedule.

Is adjust with used?

Adjust with is uncommon after the verb adjust. Other structures are usually more natural.

abandon, by, abandon, in "abduct by", "abduct in" or "abduct from"? abide by, in, with, to or on? "abolish in" or "abolish by"? "abound in" or "abound with"? "absorb by", "absorb into" or "absorb in"? "accelerate by", "accelerate to" or "accelerate in"? accentuate by, with, in or under? accept by, in, as, for or into? "accommodate in", "accommodate for" or "accommodate to"? "accomplish by" or "accomplish in"? "accord to" or "accord with"?

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