Accommodate – Definition and Part of Speech
Accommodate is primarily used as a verb. It means to provide lodging or sufficient space for someone or something, or to make adjustments to fit needs or requirements. As a verb, its common forms are “to accommodate” (base form) and “accommodated” (past tense).
Core Synonyms
Below is a table of synonyms with nuances in meaning and example sentences that illustrate their use:
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provide | To make something available; focus on availability | “The company will provide the necessary equipment for the project.” | Business/Formal |
| Adjust | To change or adapt to fit a requirement | “We may need to adjust our schedule to accommodate everyone’s needs.” | Informal/Neutral |
| Cope | To manage or deal with something | “The new manager had to cope with the challenges of her role quickly.” | Casual/Academic |
| Make room | To create space for something | “We’ll have to make room in our schedules to fit in this meeting.” | Informal/Colloquial |
| Facilitate | To help make (an action or process) easy or easier | “The software was designed to facilitate communication among team members.” | Academic/Formal |
Usage Notes
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Provide: This synonym is most suitable for business and formal contexts, where the emphasis is on making something available rather than altering it.
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Example: In a corporate setting: “The IT department will provide laptops for remote employees.”
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Adjust: Often used when there’s an element of change or adaptation to existing conditions. It’s versatile and can fit both informal and neutral contexts, such as personal schedules or work-related adjustments.
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Example: In casual conversation: “Can we adjust the timing a bit?”
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Cope: Commonly found in academic texts or discussions that focus on managing situations or challenges, this term emphasizes dealing with difficulties rather than making space or resources available.
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Example: In an essay about stress management: “Students often have to cope with increased pressure during exam periods.”
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Make Room: This is a more informal and colloquial expression. It implies creating physical space for something new or different, typically used in everyday conversation.
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Example: Among friends: “We need to make room in the living room for your baby’s crib.”
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Facilitate: Ideal for formal academic contexts where the focus is on making processes smoother or easier. It often relates to improving efficiency or communication within a group or organization.
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Example: In a research paper: “The new protocol will facilitate faster data collection and analysis.”
Common Pitfalls
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Accommodate vs. Adapt: While both involve making changes, “accommodate” is about providing space or resources to fit needs, whereas “adapt” often implies changing oneself to fit a new environment.
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Provide vs. Supply: Both suggest making something available, but “provide” can imply a more deliberate or formal action, while “supply” might indicate the availability of goods in bulk or over time.
Final Recap
The word “accommodate” has several synonyms that can be used depending on context and nuance:
- Provide emphasizes availability.
- Adjust involves making changes to fit needs.
- Cope is about managing challenges.
- Make Room suggests creating physical space.
- Facilitate focuses on easing processes.
By practicing the use of these synonyms in different contexts, learners can expand their vocabulary and improve their communication skills. Try incorporating them into your writing or conversation to see which fits best for various scenarios!