Difference between adapt and accomodate

[Crocodile Baby]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #107 "Synonyms for fit and adapt", question 5

The lawyer tried hard to ......... his statements to the facts.

(a) adapt
(b) suit
(c) accommodate
(d) harmonize

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #107 "Synonyms for fit and adapt", answer 5

The lawyer tried hard to accommodate his statements to the facts.

Correct answer: (c) accommodate

Your answer was: incorrect
The lawyer tried hard to harmonize his statements to the facts.
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Why is the right answer not "Adapt"? Please explain me the difference between "adapt" and "accomodate", because in my English-English dictionary accomodate means adapt

crocodile baby

[Alan]

Hi Crocodile Baby,

Adapt usually means change something to another format/shape as in: adapt the television to receive additional programmes.

Accommodate has the more the idea of changing something so that it is more appropriate/suitable to the situation as in: accommodate your views/opinions to be acceptable to other people.

Alan
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[Daniela]

Hi Crocodile Baby,

Here is some more about the difference between adapt and accommodate.

The verb “adapt” means to change and make suitable for a different use or for new conditions: to adapt a book for children; the eye adapts to dark/light; to adapt to a new situation; adapt one’s way of thinking; to adapt to a new climate, etc.

The verb “accommodate” means to make suitable, it implies some sacrifice on the part of the person accommodating for the convenience of the person accommodated. It is preferred to “to adapt” when compromise is to be suggested.
to accommodate statements to facts; to accommodate your plans to somebody else’s plans; to accommodate to social change, etc.

Success!
Daniela

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[Alan]

Hi Crocodile Baby,

While on the subject of accommodate, it's worth remembering that the verb can also mean provide lodging - somewhere for a person to live. And so we also have the noun accommodation - lodging as in: I've just got a new job here and am looking for accommodation nearby.

Alan
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