Adapt To Doing vs. Adapt To Do
Cambridge distinguishes adapt to a situation or activity from transitive patterns such as adapting plans to fit new circumstances. The surface sequence “adapt … to + verb” therefore needs its grammatical structure identified before choosing an -ing form or infinitive.
Use “adapt to doing” when to is the preposition in the sense “become accustomed to.” A to-infinitive can occur in a different construction, such as adapting something to fit a purpose.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Construction | Use | Example pattern |
|---|---|---|
| adapt to + activity/situation | to is a preposition; use a noun or -ing form | adapt to working nights |
| adapt something + to-infinitive | the infinitive expresses purpose/result | adapt the plan to fit the budget |
Quick tests
Structure test
Does “to” introduce the situation or activity that someone becomes accustomed to?
If yes: Use a noun or -ing form after the preposition: “adapt to doing.”
If no: If an object is being changed for a purpose, a separate to-infinitive construction may be correct.
Caveat: Do not reduce the choice to “-ing good, infinitive bad.” The grammar depends on whether “to” is a preposition or begins a different infinitive construction.
Examples
It took time to adapt to working at night.
“To” is the preposition in the become-accustomed construction.
We adapted the form to fit the new process.
Here the infinitive expresses the purpose/result of adapting the form.
She adapted to work at night.
Better: She adapted to working at night.
For becoming accustomed to the activity, use the -ing form.
Further guidance
Boundary
Do not reduce this pair to “-ing always right, infinitive always wrong.” The correct form depends on whether to is a preposition introducing what one adapts to or part of a different infinitival construction.
Construction
In the become-accustomed sense, adapt to takes a noun or -ing form; in transitive purpose/result patterns, a to-infinitive may follow an object or modified thing.
Decision
Use “adapt to doing” when to is the preposition in the sense “become accustomed to.” A to-infinitive can occur in a different construction, such as adapting something to fit a purpose.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Adapt — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · change something to suit different conditions or uses