a slight alteration

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Are there instances when a slight alteration of color or light might be considered a falsification?

The New York Times

But, at least around the holiday season, it may deserve a slight alteration to "tall, dark and merry".

The New York Times - Travel

Amie Batson Keep it simple: A slight alteration to a product can make as much difference as a new one.

The Guardian

A slight alteration in vertex angle and focus offset resulted in same optical efficiency but improved LFD.

Solar Energy

When the temperature was controlled at refrigerator or room temperature, a slight alteration in the concentrations of the phenolics studied was observed.

Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis

"Do you still think it's two cities, Freddy?" Mr. Green demanded, invoking, with a slight alteration, what had been Mr. Ferrer's central campaign theme until he won a spot in the runoff eight days ago.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Although the review homework used a multiple-choice format, this slight alteration is unlikely to have caused such a difference in use of monophyletic grouping reasoning.

CBE Life Sciences Education

It was just a matter of time before the Court would sanction the idea that a species of mouse with a slight genetic alteration could be considered a patentable invention.

MIT Technology Review

In general, all profiles show weak depletions of mobile elements (Ca, Na, Mg, Sr, U) in the upper continental crust UCC-normalized diagrams which are attributed to a slight chemical alteration.

Geoderma

Charter entrepreneurs and so-called reformers could also start Harvord University Prep with a slight spelling alteration to avoid trademark infringement.

Huffington Post

Intriguingly, a slight structural alteration (reduction of the lactone ring to a cyclic ether) of Red-Br-nos compared with noscapine and its congener, bromonoscapine, remarkably intensifies CA and drives SM and 'metaphase catastrophe'.

Cell Death and Disease

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slight alteration" when you want to emphasize that a change is minor and not drastic. It's suitable for describing subtle adjustments in various contexts, from scientific experiments to creative works.

Common error

Avoid using "a slight alteration" to describe changes that have significant or far-reaching consequences. If the modification fundamentally alters the outcome, consider using stronger terms like "a major transformation" or "a significant change".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight alteration" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a minor modification or change made to something. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's suitable for describing subtle adjustments in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slight alteration" is a versatile noun phrase used to describe minor changes across diverse fields like science, news, and general writing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. While alternatives such as "a minor adjustment" or "a subtle modification" exist, "a slight alteration" effectively conveys the idea of a small, often deliberate, modification. When using this phrase, be mindful of overstating the significance of the change and choose it when the modification truly is minor in scope.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor adjustment

Emphasizes the act of making something more suitable or effective in a small way.

a subtle modification

Highlights the delicate and understated nature of the change.

a small change

Focuses on the limited extent of the transformation.

a marginal difference

Suggests that the alteration results in a barely noticeable variation.

a minimal adjustment

Indicates that the adjustment is as small as possible.

a gentle shift

Implies a smooth and gradual change.

a fractional variation

Emphasizes that the variation is only a fraction of the whole.

a delicate adjustment

Highlights the care and precision involved in the change.

a touch of modification

Suggests a very light and almost imperceptible change.

a shade of difference

Implies that the difference is so slight as to be almost indistinguishable.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slight alteration" to indicate a minor change or modification. For example, "A slight alteration in the design improved its functionality".

What are some alternatives to "a slight alteration"?

Some alternatives include "a minor adjustment", "a subtle modification", or "a small change".

Is it better to say "a slight change" or "a slight alteration"?

Both "a slight change" and "a slight alteration" are correct and often interchangeable. "Alteration" may suggest a more deliberate or formal modification, while "change" is more general.

What's the difference between "a slight alteration" and "a significant alteration"?

"A slight alteration" indicates a small, often subtle change, while "a significant alteration" indicates a more substantial and impactful modification.