It makes a nice change

Leben ist Veränderung – wie gut also, dass das gesprochene Englisch so viele Möglichkeiten bietet, Wandel zu beschreiben. Von ADRIAN DOFF

A common way to talk about changes is with the verbs get, grow, go and become. For example, as people get (or grow) older, they often go bald or their hair might go grey. They may also go deaf or become less active.

You can, of course, also use the word change itself. It can be an intransitive verb (= become different) or a transitive verb (= make something different). It can also mean “change one thing for something else”:

I didn’t recognize her when I saw her recently. She’d changed a lot.

I’ve decided to change my hairstyle.

It’s time I changed my lifestyle.

You can also use the verbs exchange or swap: Let’s swap phone numbers before we go. (= I’ll give you mine and you give me yours.)

The word change can, of course, be a noun. You can make changes to something – they can be sweeping or radical changes, or they can be minor changes:

The new manager has made some sweeping changes to the PR department.

I’ve looked at your report and made minor changes to the first paragraph.

Changes can be for the better or for the worse: I see you’ve painted the kitchen wall. It’s definitely a change for the better.

They’ve restructured the company, but I’m afraid it’s a change for the worse.

Changing money

(in a bank) I’d like to change these euros into US dollars. (in a shop) Can you change

a €100 note?

(in a shop) Have you got change for €100?

Changing clothes

If you take off clothes and put on other clothes, you change or get changed. You can also change out of or change into clothes:

I’ll be with you in a minute. I just need to get changed. I think I’ll change into something warmer.

The money you get back in a shop is called change (= coins):

You should always check your change before you leave the shop.

Have you got any change on you? I need to buy a parking ticket.

Some other verbs and nouns that mean “change” Verb: alter / noun: alteration = (make) small changes: I need to have my trousers altered. They’re too long. I’ve made a few alterations to the second paragraph. Verb: adjust / noun: adjustment = (make) slight changes to something so that it works better:

Could you adjust the brakes on the car? They’re a bit soft.

I’ve made a few adjustments to the cupboard doors so that they close more easily.

Expressions with the verb “change”

If something changes hands, there is a new owner. If you change your mind, you form a new opinion. If you change (or swap) places (with) someone, you take their seat, and they take yours. You can also use the phrase to talk about someone’s position in life: Do you want to swap places? You can see better from here.

I know she’s got lots of money, but I wouldn’t want to change places with her.

Expressions with the noun “change”

If you have a change of heart, you feel differently about something. If something makes a (nice) change, it’s different in a good way:

He was really friendly this evening. That made a (nice) change!

If you do something for a change, you do it just because it’s different:

I usually order a cappuccino, but I think I’ll have an espresso for a change.