✅ Adjust and alter can both refer tp changing something so that it can fulfill its function.

✅ Adjust generally suggests moving something from one position to another, with the possibility of moving it back again (adjust the height of the chair).

✅ Alter suggests permanently changing something, often so it can be used more easily, or perform better (alter the content of the course; alter the dress so that it fits).

✅ Alter can also be used in a crafting context to refer to changing something in a creative way so that it becomes more decorative or useful, which might include changing the use of a thing, but not always. In this sense, it means something closer to transform or revamp (I altered the chest of drawers by painting it white).

Write a sentence about altering something so that it can be used more easily with the help of Grammar Coach.

✅ Stern is the best word to describe inflexibility and firmness, especially in an authoritative way, and can suggest a withdrawn or forbidding quality (a stern teacher).

✅ Severe is the best word to describe strictness and unsympathetic harshness in delivering discipline or punishment (a severe critic).

✅ When describing things like expressions or ways of talking, both words do not necessarily imply that the individual’s personality is stern or severe (He had a severe expression, but his words were kind; It takes a while to get used to her stern personality).

✅ Stern and severe imply authority. Severe often suggests that the person in question is mean or cruel, but stern is more neutral (My colleague is very severe; The captain was thoughtful but stern).

We hope we don’t sound too stern in encouraging you to check out these synonyms for severe.

✅ Hold and contain can be used synonymously in most cases.

✅ However, hold usually emphasizes the container (The trailer should hold all the furniture), whereas contain emphasizes what is being kept in the container (The backpack contained all the food we would need for the trip).

✅ Hold and contain can both refer to something’s capacity, where the amount it can hold is the absolute maximum capacity (The can contains 16 ounces; The elevator holds ten people).

Try to contain your excitement about these synonyms!