radical shift

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   a very large and important change in an idea, system, or way of doing something

   Grammar: Countable; often used with a: a radical shift in policy.

   Patterns

   • a radical shift in something
   • a radical shift away from something
   • a radical shift toward(s) something

   The company made a radical shift in its marketing strategy.

   There has been a radical shift in public opinion about the issue.

   The new leader promised a radical shift away from old policies.

2. 2nouncountable

   a sudden and complete change in attitude or behavior

   Grammar: Often used about people or groups: a radical shift in his thinking.

   Patterns

   • a radical shift in attitude
   • a radical shift in thinking

   Her radical shift in attitude surprised everyone.

   The report describes a radical shift in how young people view work.

Word forms

Common combinations

a radical shift in policy

The election led to a radical shift in policy.

a radical shift away from

We are seeing a radical shift away from traditional shopping.

a radical shift toward

There has been a radical shift toward renewable energy.

a radical shift in thinking

The book calls for a radical shift in thinking about education.

Synonyms and how they differ

major change

Major change is more neutral and common; radical shift suggests a deeper, more fundamental change.

transformation

Transformation often suggests a complete change in form; radical shift focuses on a change in direction or position.

turnaround

Turnaround usually means a change from bad to good, while radical shift is neutral about the result.

Opposites

Word family

radically adverb

In a very large or extreme way.

radical adjective

Very new and different, or extreme.

Commonly confused: radical shift or radical?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “radical shift”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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