[Vocabulary] change - switch - shift

[dilodi83]

How to understand when to use one instead of another word among "change- switch-shift"?

Examples: 1) Did you notice Mary's change?
2) There has been a severe climatic shift.
3) I knew the magician had changed the cards over but I did not spot the change/switch.

I have taken these sentences from a book, but it said that these three words mean that something is changing or has changed...so, what's the difference and how to use them properly?

Thanks so much in advance.

 

[dilodi83]

I also have some problems with the verbs: to change, to shift and to switch...how to use them? ;-)

 

[bhaisahab]

I also have some problems with the verbs: to change, to shift and to switch...how to use them? ;-)

"shift" is about movement, you can't shift your mind, for example.
To "switch" something means to exchange it with something else, you can't switch your mind either.

 

[dilodi83]

Could you give me some examples of the three nouns and verbs to understand the differences better? ;-)

 

[dilodi83]

Maybe: to switch = to swap - to exchange something like a seat or a pen
to shift = to move something somewhere else - to change the position of something
to change = is it the more generic verb?

What about an opinion? to change my opinion - to shift the opinion (a shift of opinion)

 

[5jj]

Could you give me some examples of the three nouns and verbs to understand the differences better? ;-)

Have you tried looking at some example entences in online dictionaries?

 

[dilodi83]

Have you tried looking at some example entences in online dictionaries?

Yes, I have tried to but, if I have asked for a help, it's because I did not get anything...and I would like a teacher to explain them better with some examples...;-)