a alteration of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a alteration of" is not correct in English; it should be "an alteration of." You can use it when discussing a change or modification to something.
Example: "The report includes an alteration of the original data to reflect the latest findings."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 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].

Genome Medicine

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.

Advances in Health Sciences Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I stuffed cotton saturated with turpentine into my nose, and like a drug, it induced an alteration of a past region in which the smell prevailed, and I verbalize in a kind of rambling stream of consciousness monologue".

Huffington Post

Thus a consequence of a deficit of AtCPSF30 might be an alteration of poly(A) site choice in particular genes.

Plosone

The figure is an alteration of a figure by Winn (Seager et al. 2010).

Earth, Planets and Space

Perhaps, the gain of three testis-specific glycolytic isoenzymes is a consequence of an alteration of spermatozoa structure.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

A key idea in the formulation of these counterfactuals is that of an alteration of an event.

SEP

A third mineral, leucoxene, is an alteration of ilmenite from which a portion of the iron has been naturally leached.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His next project was an alteration of an old movie house at 124th Street and Seventh Avenue, occupied by what became known as the Greater Refuge Temple.

The New York Times

It is also apparent in the ambitious design, completed last fall, of the New York Presbyterian Church in Queens, an alteration of an older building.

The New York Times - Tech

In a sense, it is an alteration of the Garden of Eden -- as given by God -- that has been made useful for man.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct article "an" before the word "alteration" because it starts with a vowel sound. For example, use "an alteration of the plan" instead of "a alteration of the plan".

Common error

Avoid using the article "a" before "alteration". The correct article is "an" because "alteration" begins with a vowel sound. Consistently using "an" will improve clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a alteration of" is intended to function as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun by indicating a change or modification. However, due to the incorrect article usage, it fails to perform this function effectively. Ludwig AI flags this as incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a alteration of" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "an alteration of". While the phrase intends to denote a change or modification, its incorrect grammar significantly impacts its effectiveness. As Ludwig AI highlights, the use of "a" instead of "an" before "alteration" is a common error that should be avoided. Correcting this mistake and considering alternatives like "a modification of" or "a change to" will enhance clarity and precision in writing. Usage is rare across different contexts, including science and news media, emphasizing the importance of grammatical accuracy for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an alteration to

Replaces the indefinite article "a" with "an" to match the following vowel sound and uses "to" instead of "of".

a modification of

Replaces "alteration" with "modification" while maintaining the original structure and meaning.

a change in

Uses the more common term "change" and the preposition "in" to indicate a modification.

a transformation of

Substitutes "alteration" with "transformation" to suggest a more significant change.

a revision of

Replaces "alteration" with "revision", implying a formal or documented change.

an adjustment to

Uses "adjustment" to suggest a minor or fine-tuned change.

a variation of

Employs "variation" to denote a slight difference or modification.

a shift in

Replaces "alteration" with "shift", indicating a change in position or direction.

an amendment to

Uses "amendment" to imply a formal alteration, often in legal or official contexts.

a reworking of

Substitutes "alteration" with "reworking" to suggest a more thorough or creative change.

FAQs

How do I properly use "an alteration of" in a sentence?

Ensure you use "an" instead of "a" before "alteration". For example: "The new policy involves "an alteration of" the existing guidelines" is correct.

What's the difference between "an alteration of" and "a modification of"?

While both phrases indicate a change, ""an alteration of"" implies a more fundamental change. "A modification of" suggests a less drastic adjustment.

What can I say instead of "an alteration of"?

You can use alternatives like "a change to", "a revision of", or "a modification of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a alteration of" or "an alteration of"?

"An alteration of" is the correct form because "alteration" begins with a vowel sound, requiring the use of the article "an".