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Grammar fix

change schools

move to a different school

to stop attending one school and start going to another, usually because of moving house, family reasons, or wanting a better education.

collocationB1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • After her family moved to another city, she had to change schools.education
  • If I had to change schools, I think it would be difficult at first because I’d have to make new friends and get used to a new environment.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: change schools

WrongShe changed her school.

RightShe changed schools.

'Change schools' (plural, no possessive).

Patternchange schools

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff She transferred to an alternative educational institution.

Natural She changed schools last year.

'Transferred to an alternative educational institution' is officialese; 'changed schools' is normal.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • change schools
    changeswitchhave toafter moving

Don't confuse it

Not the same as 'change the school', which means to make changes to the school itself.

Try it in Daily Speak →