change

change — verb

1. to take one thing away and put a different one of the same general type in its p

1.動詞及物A1
釋義

to take one thing away and put a different one of the same general type in its place, often because the first one is old, broken, dirty, or no longer suitable

例句

Selim changed the old batteries in his radio before the storm arrived.

change + noun (replacing worn items)

The nurse changed the bandage on Naoko's arm every few hours.

同義詞
  • replace

    Focuses more on putting something new where the old one was; slightly more formal.

  • swap

    Suggests a mutual exchange between two people, more informal.

  • exchange

    Used when giving one item and receiving another, often both sides are specified.

反義詞
  • keep

    To continue using or holding something instead of replacing it.

文法句型

change + noun

change + noun + for + noun

用法筆記

Subject is a person who performs the replacement; object is the thing that is removed. To specify the new item, use 'change + object + for + new item' as in 'change the red shirt for a blue one'.

常見錯誤

❌I changed my clothes to pyjamas.
✅I changed into my pyjamas.
💡Use 'change into' for putting on different clothes, not 'change to'.

2. to stop being in one state, form, or condition and start being in another; or to

2.動詞及物 / 不及物A2
釋義

to stop being in one state, form, or condition and start being in another; or to cause someone or something to reach a new state or form

例句

The weather changed from hot and dry to cool and rainy overnight.

change from X to Y (state transition)

Moving to a new country changed Ife's outlook on many things.

同義詞
  • alter

    Suggests a more partial or surface-level change; slightly more formal.

  • modify

    Implies small adjustments rather than a complete transformation; formal.

  • transform

    Describes a major, thorough change in form, appearance, or character.

反義詞
  • stay the same

    To remain in the same state without any difference.

  • remain

    Continue to be in the same state; no change occurs.

文法句型

something changes

someone changes + noun

someone/something changes from X to Y

someone/something changes into Y

用法筆記

When used intransitively, the subject is the thing undergoing the change. When used transitively, the subject is the cause of the change. Avoid confusing with 'exchange', which always involves two parties giving and receiving.

常見錯誤

❌The weather was changed quickly.
✅The weather changed quickly.
💡Use the intransitive form when describing natural change; the passive 'was changed' implies someone deliberately altered it.
❌I am changing my job to a new one.
✅I am changing jobs.
💡For moving from one job to another, use the plural noun directly.

3. to return a purchased item to the store where it came from and receive a replace

3.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to return a purchased item to the store where it came from and receive a replacement, typically when the original is damaged, the wrong size, or not what was wanted

例句

Indra changed the jacket for a larger size after trying it on at home.

change + noun + for + noun (shop exchange)

João changed his new headphones at the store because they had a crackling sound.

同義詞
  • exchange

    Used more formally in retail; 'exchange' suggests a mutual giving and receiving.

  • swap

    Very informal; common in casual conversation between friends.

反義詞
  • keep

    To decide not to return the item to the shop.

文法句型

change + noun + for + noun

change + noun + (at + shop)

用法筆記

Commonly used with a 'for' phrase that names the replacement item. The word 'exchange' can also be used for this sense, but 'change' is more frequent in everyday British and American shopping contexts.

常見錯誤

❌I changed my phone at the shop.' (without context sounds like swapping for a different phone generally)
✅I changed my phone for a different model at the shop.
💡Add a 'for' phrase to make clear you returned it for a replacement.

4. to start holding a different opinion, plan, or decision from the one you had bef

4.動詞及物B1
釋義

to start holding a different opinion, plan, or decision from the one you had before, usually after receiving new information or thinking again

例句

After hearing all the evidence, the judge changed her decision about the case.

change + possessive + decision

Naoko changed her mind about studying abroad when her grandmother became ill.

同義詞
  • reconsider

    Focuses on the thinking process of reviewing a decision rather than the outcome.

  • reverse

    Stronger — suggests completely turning around to the opposite view; more formal.

  • flip-flop

    Informal and sometimes negative, implying frequent or weak changes of opinion.

反義詞
  • stick to

    To keep one's original decision or opinion without changing.

文法句型

change + possessive + mind

change + possessive + opinion/decision/view

change + possessive + position

用法筆記

The most fixed collocation is 'change one's mind', which is treated almost as a set phrase. 'Change one's opinion' is more formal. This sense typically takes a possessive determiner before the object noun.

常見錯誤

❌I changed my decide.
✅I changed my decision/mind.
💡'Decide' is a verb; use the noun 'decision' or the set phrase 'mind'.

5. for a situation, condition, or set of circumstances to become better or more pos

5.動詞不及物
釋義

for a situation, condition, or set of circumstances to become better or more positive than it was before

例句

The weather changed for the better after three days of heavy rain.

change for the better (improvement)

The relationship between the two families changed after they talked through their problems.

同義詞
  • improve

    More direct and explicit about the direction of change; 'improve' always implies getting better.

  • get better

    Everyday informal phrase that clearly states the positive direction.

反義詞
  • worsen

    To become worse instead of better; the opposite direction of change.

  • deteriorate

    More formal than 'worsen'; suggests a gradual decline in quality or condition.

文法句型

something changes for the better

something changes (for the good)

用法筆記

The context usually makes it clear this is an improvement, either through a following phrase like 'for the better' or through surrounding positive details. Without such cues, use sense 2 (BECOME DIFFERENT) which is neutral.

常見錯誤

❌I changed my score from bad to good.
✅My score changed for the better after I studied harder.
💡Use 'for the better' to explicitly indicate improvement.

6. to stop behaving in ways that cause problems for yourself or others and start ac

6.動詞不及物
釋義

to stop behaving in ways that cause problems for yourself or others and start acting in a more responsible or acceptable manner

例句

After years of trouble at school, Ife changed and started working hard.

change (personal reform, intransitive)

The young man changed his ways after he became a father for the first time.

change + possessive + ways

同義詞
  • reform

    More formal; often used in social or political contexts about systematic improvement.

  • mend your ways

    Set phrase meaning to stop behaving badly and start acting properly.

  • turn over a new leaf

    Idiomatic expression meaning to start behaving in a better way.

反義詞
  • backslide

    To return to old, bad behaviour after trying to improve.

文法句型

someone changes

someone changes + possessive + ways

someone changes + possessive + behaviour

用法筆記

Often collocates with 'ways' or 'behaviour' to specify what is being reformed. This sense implies moral or behavioural improvement, not just any kind of change. Common in contexts of personal growth, rehabilitation, or corrected conduct.

常見錯誤

❌He changed his ways of eating.
✅He changed his eating habits.
💡'Ways' in this sense refers to general behaviour or character, not specific routines.

7. to leave one bus, train, or other form of public transport and get onto a differ

7.動詞及物 / 不及物A2
釋義

to leave one bus, train, or other form of public transport and get onto a different one so that you can reach the place you are going to

例句

Otis changed trains at Taipei Main Station to get to his hotel in the east of the city.

change + [vehicle] + at + [station]

You need to change from bus 22 to bus 41 at the market stop near the park.

change + from + [vehicle] + to + [vehicle]

同義詞
  • transfer

    more formal, common in official announcements and signs

  • switch

    informal, often used in spoken English

文法句型

change + from + [vehicle] + to + [vehicle]

change + at + [station/stop]

用法筆記

Often used without a direct object: 'We change at Central Station.' The station or stop where you change is introduced with 'at'.

常見錯誤

❌I changed my train at the station.
✅I changed trains at the station.
💡In the transport sense, the vehicle name (trains, buses) is usually plural without 'my/your'.

8. to give someone a different type or size of money in return for what they give y

8.動詞及物A2
釋義

to give someone a different type or size of money in return for what they give you, for example turning a large note into several smaller ones or one country's currency into another

例句

Could you change this thousand-dollar note into smaller bills for me, please?

change + [note/bill] + into + [smaller bills]

Elena changed her euros into yen at the bank counter before her trip to Japan.

change + [currency] + into + [other currency]

同義詞
  • exchange

    more formal, common in financial contexts like 'currency exchange'

  • convert

    formal, used for changing one currency to another

文法句型

change + [money] + into + [currency/denomination]

change + [banknote/coin]

用法筆記

You can specify which currency you are giving ('change dollars into euros') or just say you want to change money. In British English, a 'note' is a piece of paper money; in American English, a 'bill'.

常見錯誤

❌I need to change my money at the bank.
✅I need to change some money at the bank.
💡Use 'some money' rather than 'my money' unless you mean all of it.
❌Can you change this coin?' (when you mean you want smaller coins)
✅Can you change this note into coins?
💡Be clear about what you are giving and what you want.

9. to take off the clothes, nappy, or bed covers that are being used and put fresh

9.動詞及物 / 不及物A2
釋義

to take off the clothes, nappy, or bed covers that are being used and put fresh or different ones on yourself, a baby, or a bed

例句

Rania changed the baby's wet nappy and then put her down for her afternoon nap.

change + [baby's] + [nappy/diaper]

Ilan changed his shirt after spilling coffee on it during the morning meeting.

同義詞
  • replace

    more general; 'replace the sheets' puts focus on the new item

  • switch

    informal; 'switch into something more comfortable'

文法句型

change + into/out of + [clothes]

change + [baby's] + [diaper/nappy/sheets]

用法筆記

When used intransitively ('I need to change before dinner'), it usually refers to changing clothes. For a baby, 'change a nappy/diaper' is the common collocation. For a bed, 'change the sheets' is the standard phrase.

常見錯誤

❌I changed my clothes into pyjamas.
✅I changed into pyjamas.
💡'Changed into' already implies putting on different clothes; you don't need 'my clothes'.
❌Change the bed' (when you mean change the sheets).
✅Change the bed sheets' or 'change the sheets on the bed.
💡'Change the bed' can sound like you are moving the furniture.

10. used when a natural force such as wind or an ocean tide starts blowing or flowin

10.動詞不及物
釋義

used when a natural force such as wind or an ocean tide starts blowing or flowing from a different direction

例句

The wind changed direction without warning, and the sailors had to pull the sails down quickly.

[wind/tide] + change + direction

Ayana waited for the tide to change before taking her small boat out of the harbour.

同義詞
  • shift

    implies a slight or gradual change in direction

  • turn

    suggests a clearer, more definite change to a new direction

文法句型

[wind/tide] + changes

用法筆記

Almost exclusively used with natural forces such as wind, tide, or current. Not used for human-controlled movement.

11. to move the gear stick of a car to a different position so that the engine turns

11.動詞及物 / 不及物
釋義

to move the gear stick of a car to a different position so that the engine turns faster or slower

例句

Dario changed down to second gear as the car began to climb the steep hill.

change + down/up + to + [gear]

When you reach a higher speed on the motorway, you should change up to save fuel.

change + up (for higher gear)

同義詞
  • shift

    standard in American English; 'shift gears' is the typical phrasing

文法句型

change + up/down

change + [gear]

change + into + [gear]

用法筆記

Commonly paired with 'up' (to a higher gear / faster) or 'down' (to a lower gear / slower). In American English, 'shift gear' or 'shift' is more common than 'change gear'.

常見錯誤

❌I changed to a lower speed.
✅I changed down to a lower gear.
💡'Speed' is not the same as 'gear'; you change gears, not speeds.

change — noun