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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
a alteration
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "a alteration" is not correct in written English.
The correct form is "an alteration" because "alteration" begins with a vowel sound. Example: "The document requires an alteration to reflect the latest changes."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
5 human-written examples
The c.455G > A alteration of the fibrinogen-encoding gene has been found to occur more frequently in homozygous form in patients with large-vessel stroke [ 46].
Science
Hotspot mutation E545K with a nucleotide 1633 G → A alteration in the helical domain at exon 9 of PIK3CA was identified in patient SDC3.
We [ 40] found that the c.1691G > A alteration does not confer risk for stroke alone, but in combination with other unfavorable factors, such as hypertension or diabetes mellitus, it can increase the relative risk of ischemic stroke.
Science
These mechanisms comprise of: (a) Alteration of unisensory structures, (b) Alteration of multisensory structures that interact directly, and (c) Alteration of multisensory structures that are coordinated by a separate multisensory structure.
The c.1691G > A alteration (called the Leiden variant) has been reported to be associated with resistance to degradation by activated protein C. Since then, numerous studies have examined this variant in several conditions that correlate with thromboembolism, but the results were inconsistent regarding the pathological role of this alteration [ 34- 37].
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
53 human-written examples
Sequencing of Rf5 and rf5 identified a single nucleotide T791-to-A alteration at the fourth PPR motif, which results in a nonsense mutation (TAT to TAA) in the HL-CMS line (Hu et al. [2012]).
Science
The mutations in ura3 -1, ura3 -p, and ura3 -e are the following: G to A at position 701 of URA3, G-to-A change at position 608, and T-to-A alteration at position 170, respectively.
Science
The suaB111 mutation was identified as a G-to-A alteration in the anticodon CUG of a glutamine tRNA leading to recognition of UAG as a sense codon (Espeso et al. 2005), but the mechanism of action of the other suppressors has remained unidentified.
Science
When BR-4 containing a V-A or F-A alteration was analyzed for its ability to interact with PP1, a significant decrease was observed in the amount of PP1 that interacted with the BR-4 V-A or F-A GST fusion protein compared to the wild type BR-4 fragment, indicating that this sequence is required to mediate the interaction between BRCA1 and PP1.
Science
So they do their A-line skirts, then make an alteration on a neckline.
News & Media
DesbloqueioBR plans to charge between 250 and 375 dollars to unlock an iPhone, an alteration that may cost service providers big money.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Always use "an" before "alteration" because "alteration" begins with a vowel sound. For example, use "an alteration" instead of "a alteration".
Common error
Avoid using "a" before words that start with a vowel sound. Remember that the correct phrase is "an alteration", not "a alteration".
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
2.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "a alteration" is intended to function as a noun phrase, specifying a modification or change. However, this phrasing is grammatically incorrect. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the correct form is "an alteration".
Frequent in
Science
40%
News & Media
40%
Formal & Business
20%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "a alteration" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "an alteration" because "alteration" begins with a vowel sound. Ludwig AI confirms this and provides examples of the intended usage. While the contexts where this phrase appears are typically neutral to formal, it's crucial to use the correct article to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity. Consider using alternative phrases like "a modification" or "a change" if you're unsure.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
an adjustment
Replaces "alteration" with a synonym implying a slight change.
a change
A more general and common term for modification.
a modification
A more formal synonym for "alteration".
a revision
Implies a more thorough review and change.
an amendment
Specifically refers to a formal change or addition.
a transformation
Suggests a significant change in form or appearance.
a shift
Implies a change in direction or focus.
a correction
Focuses on fixing an error or inaccuracy.
a variation
Indicates a difference from a standard or norm.
an adaptation
Highlights the process of adjusting to new conditions.
FAQs
What is the correct way to say "a alteration"?
The grammatically correct phrasing is "an alteration" because "alteration" begins with a vowel sound. The article "a" is used before consonant sounds, while "an" is used before vowel sounds.
Can I use "a modification" instead of "an alteration"?
Yes, you can use "a modification" as an alternative. Since "modification" begins with a consonant sound, the article "a" is appropriate.
What are some synonyms for "an alteration"?
Some synonyms include "a change", "a revision", or "an adjustment", depending on the context.
Is "a alteration" ever correct in English?
No, "a alteration" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is always "an alteration" because the word "alteration" starts with a vowel sound.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
2.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested