What is adopt? Pronunciation and usage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "adopt" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. To Take Something Into Your Care/Life (Most Common)

• Meaning: To formally choose to accept and care for something (or someone) as your own.
• Examples:
  • "The shelter adopted a new puppy yesterday." (Taking in an animal)
  • "She adopted a new diet to improve her health." (Taking on a new habit)
  • “The company adopted a new policy regarding remote work.” (Implementing a new rule)
  • "He adopted the boy after his parents passed away." (Taking legal responsibility for raising a child)

2. To Officially Accept or Approve of Something

• Meaning: To formally approve or accept a plan, idea, or law.
• Examples:
  • "The committee adopted the proposal for a new building." (Officially approving a plan)
  • "The country adopted a new constitution." (Officially accepting a legal document)
  • "The government adopted measures to combat inflation." (Formally enacting policies)

3. To Take on a Behavior or Style

• Meaning: To start behaving or dressing in a certain way, often influenced by someone else.
• Examples:
  • "He adopted his grandfather’s mannerisms." (Took on the way he acted)
  • "She adopted a more casual style of dress.” (Started dressing differently)
  • "The teenager adopted a cool, urban slang." (Adopted a way of speaking)

4. (In Genetics) To Inherit Genes

• Meaning: To receive genes from a parent. This is a more technical usage.
• Example: "Humans adopt half of their genes from their mothers and half from their fathers."

5. (As a Verb - Less Common, More Formal)

• Meaning: To take up or embrace a cause, belief, or position. This often implies a strong commitment.
• Examples:
  • "The organization adopted a stance against climate change." (Formally taking a position)
  • “He adopted a philosophy of non-violence.” (Embraced a particular belief)

Key Differences & How to Tell Which Meaning is Intended

• Context is Crucial: The surrounding words and the overall situation will usually make the meaning clear.
• "Care for" (or similar words) indicates taking something into your life.
• "Approved," "accepted," or “policy” indicate a formal decision.
• “Style” or "mannerisms" indicates behavior or appearance.

Here's a quick chart to summarize:

Meaning	Example
Taking Care of	The animal shelter adopted a kitten.
Officially Approve	The council adopted the new zoning laws.
Style/Behavior	He adopted a more relaxed attitude.
Genetics	Humans adopt genes from their parents.

Resources for Further Learning:

• Merriam-Webster: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adopt
• Cambridge Dictionary: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/adopt

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

• What kind of sentence are you trying to write? (e.g., about animals, a business decision, a personal habit?)