a modest alteration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest alteration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small or minor change made to something, often implying that the change is not significant or drastic. Example: "After reviewing the document, I suggested a modest alteration to improve clarity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

We find that a modest alteration of an initially 'scale-free' network can usefully improve robustness against attack, particularly when the fraction of attacked nodes is small, and we identify modification schemes that are most effective for this purpose.

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications

The single-dose level of PPARpan induced a modest alteration in gene expression.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Thus, a modest alteration of RYGB criteria to include this population would have far-reaching implications for diabetes care.

Diabetes Care

Even with very high fructose supplementation, there is only a modest alteration of hepatic glucose metabolism, which may merely represent a metabolic adaptation to the consumption of a glycogenic substrate rather than a step toward diabetes.

BMC Biology

No significant effect of the combination was noted in any of the cell lines tested, with the exception of the wt-MCF7 in the presence of E2, which showed a modest alteration that just barely met statistically significance (Additional file 3: Figure S3).

Breast Cancer Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Nevertheless, a more modest alteration of the CLR RAMP1 interface could be envisaged that results in an allosteric modification of the peptide-binding site (Fig. 3A), with compounds such as BIBN4096BS and MK-0974 asting as a lever between the N-termini of RAMP1 and CLR, breaking nearby interactions which are critical for binding of the peptidic ligand.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

With the exception of a modest change within the promoter region of Msx2, no alterations of H3K4 me3 were observed in the EtOH exposed malformed tissue samples.

Epigenetics and Chromatin

Such substantial changes would be predicted to be especially relevant for staple crops because the high consumption means even modest alteration in phytonutrients will have a dietary impact.

BMC Plant Biology

Thus, despite of this modest alteration in DC frequency, we could not identify a major aberration in CR samples of ITD+ AML patients as a whole.

Annals of Hematology

By this view, the protein world ought to consist of one structural archetype put to many different uses, each involving modest alteration of peripheral structure but no major reorganization of the fold.

Plosone

This demonstrates that even modest alteration to the molecule indeed can increase antibiotic efficacy.

ACS Synthetic Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing changes, use "a modest alteration" to convey that the adjustment is small and not drastic. This is especially useful in scientific or formal contexts where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest alteration" when the change is actually significant. Overusing this phrase can undermine the importance of the modification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest alteration" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject or object, often describing a change that is not substantial. As seen in Ludwig, the phrase appears in various contexts, indicating its versatility in academic and general writing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest alteration" is a noun phrase used to describe a minor or slight change. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and versatile, appearing in both scientific and general contexts. It's particularly useful for indicating that a modification is not substantial, making it suitable for formal and neutral registers. While it may not be the most frequent phrase, it's a valuable tool for precisely conveying the scale of a change. When using this phrase, ensure that the alteration truly is minor to maintain accuracy and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight change

Indicates a very small difference or modification.

a minor adjustment

Suggests a small correction or modification to improve something.

a small modification

Implies a limited change to the form or qualities of something.

a subtle variation

Conveys a delicate or understated difference.

a marginal difference

Highlights a difference that is barely noticeable or significant.

a gentle shift

Emphasizes a gradual or smooth change.

a limited adjustment

Stresses that the adjustment is confined or restricted.

a minimal amendment

Highlights that the amendment is very small or the least possible.

a touch of refinement

Implies a slight improvement or enhancement.

a fractional modification

Indicates that the modification is only a tiny fraction of the whole.

FAQs

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

You can use "a modest alteration" to describe a small change made to something, such as "a modest alteration of the plan" or "a modest alteration in the design".

What are some alternatives to "a modest alteration"?

Some alternatives to "a modest alteration" include "a slight change", "a minor adjustment", or "a small modification". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a modest alteration" or "a significant alteration"?

The choice between "a modest alteration" and "a significant alteration" depends on the size and impact of the change being described. Use "a modest alteration" for small changes and "a significant alteration" for larger, more impactful changes.

What does "a modest alteration" imply?

"A modest alteration" implies that the change is relatively small, not drastic, and unlikely to cause major disruption or have a large impact. It suggests a minor refinement or adjustment.