a minor alteration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minor alteration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small change or adjustment made to something. Example: "After reviewing the document, I realized that a minor alteration was needed to improve clarity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

It's a minor alteration of language that bespeaks a deep shift in perception.

The New York Times - Books

Democrats opposed the legislation, but now that they have a chance to rewrite the law, they are pressing for what party leaders concede is only a minor alteration.

The Washington Post

Thermodynamic parameters suggest that the binding is driven by both enthalpy and entropy, accompanied with only a minor alteration in protein's structure.

Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

Around this time, when he was travelling on business trips across Europe and the war was raging back at home, he decided to change his name from Buturovic to Butorovic, a minor alteration, but one which he figured would bring him greater respect when he stayed in grand western hotels.

The Guardian - Sport

Using an aerial survey of the 325-acre park in a valley owned by his family (and with his father's blessing), Mr. Vaill laid out a plan for a 1.53-mile road-racing course that remains in its original form except for a minor alteration that made the track safer.

The New York Times - Sports

In 50 mM K+ buffer, the double LNA-substitution at the diagonal positions of L2 (2, 11) showed a CD spectrum with a small difference from the natural TBA, suggesting a minor alteration of the native TBA structure (Figure 2B).

Chemistry Central Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

He noticed a seemingly minor alteration in one section, the kind of thing most people would skip over.

The New York Times - Magazine

After the Ice is the story of this momentous period—one in which a seemingly minor alteration in temperature could presage anything from the spread of lush woodland to the coming of apocalyptic floods and one in which we find the origins of civilization itself.

Harvard University

But it's essentially the same as the one that crashed, with a few minor alterations, including a safety lock to prevent the premature initiation of the feathering system that led to the crash.

The Guardian

Finding the dress of your dreams without a price tag that is out of this world is not a task to be deemed impossible and as long as you are prepared to make a few minor alterations or shop a little further than what you would normally with, you will look as stunning as you should on your big day!

WikiHow

It seems clear that therapies modulating a single target yield nothing but minor alteration of a diseases complex machinery.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a minor alteration", ensure the context reflects that the change is indeed small and doesn't significantly impact the overall outcome or meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "a minor alteration" when the change significantly affects the outcome. Using it in such cases can mislead the reader about the actual importance of the change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minor alteration" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, appearing in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minor alteration" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a small or insignificant change. While Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, it's crucial to ensure the context reflects the scale of the change accurately. The phrase finds common usage in science and news media and is considered appropriate for various levels of formality. Remember to choose alternatives like "a slight adjustment" or "a small modification" depending on your specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight adjustment

Refers to a change that is small and barely noticeable.

a small modification

Highlights the act of changing something slightly to improve it.

a minimal change

Emphasizes the reduction in the extent or amount of the alteration.

a subtle variation

Implies that the change is delicate and hard to detect.

a modest adjustment

Indicates the alteration is within reasonable limits and not excessive.

a trivial amendment

Stresses the unimportance or insignificance of the change.

a negligible difference

Suggests the alteration is so small that it can be disregarded.

a superficial adjustment

Indicates the change affects only the surface or appearance.

a light revision

Highlights that the change involves rewriting or correcting lightly.

a marginal difference

Points to the limited degree or extent of the alteration.

FAQs

How can I use "a minor alteration" in a sentence?

You can use "a minor alteration" to describe a small change made to something. For example, "The design required "a minor alteration" to improve its functionality".

What are some alternatives to saying "a minor alteration"?

Some alternatives include "a slight adjustment", "a small modification", or "a minimal change" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a minor alteration" in formal writing?

Yes, "a minor alteration" is appropriate for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. However, consider the specific context to determine if a more precise term would be more suitable.

What's the difference between "a minor alteration" and "a major alteration"?

"A minor alteration" refers to a small, insignificant change, while "a major alteration" signifies a substantial and significant change that can greatly affect the overall outcome or meaning.