a small alteration to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small alteration to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a minor change or modification made to something, such as a document, plan, or design. Example: "After reviewing the proposal, I suggest a small alteration to the budget section to better reflect our expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We also prove Lemma 4 in Materials and Methods Section "Variable Kernel and Dimensionality", stating that a small alteration to the kernels enables changing input dimensionality without loosing previously learnt attractors.

Plosone

Thus, a small alteration to even one residue can potentially reduce the fraction of the active FF population by orders of magnitude and thereby inhibit hyperoxidation.

Biochemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The review procedure was pre-tested on 100 patient records in one general practice, resulting in a few small alterations to the review form.

BMC Health Services Research

With a small alteration of Nets to Mets, this pithy saying applies today.

The New York Times - Sports

Eventually he tracked the difference down to a small alteration he had inadvertently made in transferring the initial data, by altering the number of decimal places.

BBC

Cirrhotic patients have been reported to exhibit an almost unaltered cardiac output and a small alteration in vascular resistance from daytime to nighttime [ 16, 17].

BMC Gastroenterology

Please be careful in altering the ingredients because a small alteration can change the name of the recipe.

WikiHow

Small alterations to the structure of a star-shaped template totally change its mode of operation.

Angewandte Chemie - International Edition

He adds that changing a single molecule in the structure of LSD can render it inert— and small alterations to the structure of morphine create an antidote to it.

Vice

However, many of these genes only showed a small alteration in expression level between antibiotic treated and control animals.

Plosone

The authors identified thirteen genes whose expression was affected by a small alteration in nuclear Ca2+ concentration.

Cell Communication and Signaling

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a small alteration to", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being altered and why the alteration is considered small or insignificant. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a small alteration to" when the change is actually substantial or has significant consequences. This can mislead the reader and undermine the credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small alteration to" functions as a prepositional phrase. Ludwig AI confirms it's a correct and usable phrase. It typically modifies a noun or verb, indicating a minor change or modification.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a small alteration to" is a grammatically sound and usable prepositional phrase that indicates a minor change or modification to something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and utility. It finds application across varied fields, including science, news, and general writing, making it versatile for different communication styles. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clarifies what is being altered and why it's deemed a minor change. Consider related phrases like ""a minor modification to"" or ""a slight adjustment to"" to fine-tune your message. Be cautious not to overstate the impact of the alteration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor modification to

Replaces "alteration" with "modification", emphasizing the act of changing something.

a slight adjustment to

Uses "adjustment" instead of "alteration", suggesting a fine-tuning or correction.

a subtle change to

Emphasizes the delicate or understated nature of the change.

a minimal adjustment to

Highlights the small extent of the adjustment being made.

a tiny revision to

Focuses on the act of revising or reviewing with minimal impact.

a modest amendment to

Suggests a formal change made to a document or plan.

a marginal refinement to

Emphasizes the improvement or enhancement aspect of the change.

a negligible difference in

Highlights the insignificance of the change or variation.

a diminutive variation in

Emphasizes the small size and the variable nature of the change.

a fractional shift in

Suggests a very small movement or change in a specific direction.

FAQs

How can I use "a small alteration to" in a sentence?

Use "a small alteration to" when you want to indicate that a change is minor or insignificant. For example: "After the review, we made "a small alteration to" the budget."

What are some alternatives to "a small alteration to"?

You can use alternatives like "a minor modification to", "a slight adjustment to", or "a subtle change to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Both "a small change to" and ""a small alteration to"" are correct, but "change" is more general. "Alteration" implies a more specific or intentional modification.

What's the difference between "a minor adjustment to" and "a small alteration to"?

"A minor adjustment to" suggests fine-tuning or correction, while ""a small alteration to"" simply means a small change has been made. The key difference lies in whether the change is corrective or simply a modification.