a few alterations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few alterations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to making minor changes or adjustments to something, such as a document, design, or plan. Example: "The report is almost ready; it just needs a few alterations before submission."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

However, a few alterations have had to be made.

Independent

A few alterations were necessary, so she left instructions to mail the things to her home.

The New Yorker

With a few alterations, that could have been a discussion of Byron.

The New York Times - Books

He and his wife have made a few alterations to the house over the years.

The New York Times

Making a few alterations can be a much more attractive route than the expensive and exhausting process of moving.

The Guardian - Money

The strengths: Litecoin is an "alt-coin"—nearly a clone of Bitcoin, but with a few alterations.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Aside from police officers ending a few altercations between supporters of the film and angry nationalists, the protests proved to be no deterrent for moviegoers.

The New York Times

Police and Village residents had a few altercations, as both groups antagonized each other.

Wikipedia

Second, the chronological order of the discovery of two breast cancers with clonal homology does not forcefully reflect the paternity of the first over the second because a tumour with few alterations can be occult for years following the removal of a more deranged derivative.

British Journal of Cancer

A neuropsychological examination showed few alterations, with impairment of verbal memory, attention and ability to plan (WAIS: 64, Verbal: 69, Performance: 63).

BMC Psychiatry

In addition to the scoring of copy number alterations using CGH plotter, log2 ratio profiles were compared manually between parental and tolerant cell lines, which identified a few distinct alterations with ratios at but not outside the thresholds, and these were considered as borderline alterations.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few alterations", ensure the context clearly indicates that the changes are minor and do not fundamentally alter the original item or plan.

Common error

Avoid using "a few alterations" when the changes are actually significant or substantial. This can mislead the audience and create a false impression of the modifications made.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few alterations" functions as a determiner + noun phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that there are some, but not many, changes. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct. The phrase is typically used to describe revisions, modifications, or adjustments made to something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

24%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few alterations" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for indicating minor changes or adjustments. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for a wide array of contexts, ranging from news reports and scientific papers to general writing. The phrase functions as a determiner and noun, its primary purpose is to inform about the limited extent of the changes made. While it can be used in both formal and informal settings, it is crucial to ensure that the alterations truly are minor to avoid misleading the audience. For times that require more specific or varied language, alternatives such as "minor adjustments" or "slight modifications" can be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor adjustments

Focuses on the small and insignificant nature of the changes.

slight modifications

Highlights the subtle nature of the changes made.

small revisions

Emphasizes the act of reviewing and correcting something, keeping the changes minimal.

minor amendments

Suggests changes that clarify or improve something without altering its fundamental nature.

slight adjustments

Similar to "minor adjustments", emphasizing a gentle shift.

some tweaks

Implies fine-tuning or slight improvements.

a handful of changes

Highlights the limited quantity of the changes.

several adjustments

Indicates more than just "a few", implying a slightly larger number of changes.

some fine-tuning

Focuses on making delicate or precise adjustments.

limited modifications

Highlights the constrained or restricted nature of the modifications.

FAQs

How can I use "a few alterations" in a sentence?

You can use "a few alterations" when you need to express that something has undergone minor changes. For example, "The design only requires "a few alterations" before it's ready for production."

What are some alternatives to "a few alterations"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "minor adjustments", "slight modifications", or "small revisions".

Is "a few alterations" formal or informal?

"A few alterations" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and overall tone.

What's the difference between "a few alterations" and "major changes"?

"A few alterations" implies minor, superficial changes, whereas "major changes" suggests significant, fundamental modifications that substantially alter the original item.