a tiny alteration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tiny alteration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small change or modification in something, such as a document, design, or plan. Example: "After reviewing the report, I realized that a tiny alteration in the data presentation would improve clarity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The African women, however, are able to minimize this loss through a tiny alteration of their gait.

The New York Times - Science

In a Times review published seven years ago, Charles McGrath said of John O'Hara that, "He created what later came to be called 'the New Yorker story' — one that turns on a tiny alteration in tone or mood — and he paved the way for Salinger, Cheever, Updike and even Carver".

The New Yorker

Last summer her team hit pay dirt: They found a tiny alteration of just four chemical beads, or "letters," in the 35,000-letter-long Flap gene.

Forbes

Robert Webster of St . JudeChildren's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, and colleagues noted that the 1997 Hong Kong strain had a tiny alteration in its NS1 protein, and they wondered if that was what made it especially deadly.

Science Magazine

I'm personally now favoring a tiny alteration to a very familiar phrase in US politics; ahead of us we now have Four Mere Years.

Huffington Post

In fact, speaking to Rohit Malpani from Médecins Sans Frontières (an organisation that relies heavily on affordable generic drugs), he stressed that even a tiny alteration in the law "would have enormous impacts on public health systems in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Priebus said it would be "one single tiny alteration of the tax code" that would raise only enough to fund the government for 11 hours instead of making a significant dent in the deficit.

Huffington Post

Loeb performed laboratory work devoted to "tropism" — the tendency of plants and animals to react in a predetermined way to tiny alterations in the environment.

The New Yorker

This vision of a planet shaped by tiny alterations - caused by erosion, sediment formation, the impact of wind and other factors - operating over aeons had a profound impact on naturalists.

The Guardian

Never losing his cool, he reveals Bradley's shifts in feeling with tiny alterations in body language and inflection.

The New York Times

Especially, rolled-up microcavities with (ultra thin wall thickness are sensitive to tiny alterations and modifications in the vicinity of the inner and outer tube wall surfaces[5].

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tiny alteration" when you want to emphasize that a change is small and perhaps unexpected, but still significant in its consequences. For example, a tiny alteration to a law can have enormous impacts.

Common error

Avoid using "a tiny alteration" when the change is actually substantial. This can mislead your audience and diminish the credibility of your statement. Ensure the adjective "tiny" accurately reflects the scale of the change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tiny alteration" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to a small or minor change. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a tiny alteration" is a grammatically sound and usable noun phrase that describes a small change or modification. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not extremely common, it is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, with a slightly higher frequency in news and media. Related phrases include "a slight modification" and "a minor adjustment". When using this phrase, ensure the "tiny" adjective accurately reflects the scale of the change to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight modification

Replaces "alteration" with "modification", emphasizing a small adjustment.

a minor adjustment

Substitutes both "tiny" and "alteration" with synonyms, indicating a small correction.

a small change

Uses simpler vocabulary to convey the same idea of a minimal change.

a subtle shift

Implies a delicate or almost imperceptible change in direction or emphasis.

a marginal difference

Focuses on the resulting difference being small or insignificant.

a minimal variation

Highlights a slight difference from a norm or standard.

a hairline fracture

Uses an analogy to express the idea of something is on the verge of collapsing or is just about to.

a negligible adjustment

The alteration is so small as to be not worth considering

an almost unnoticeable change

Refers to a change that is difficult to perceive or detect.

a barely perceptible change

Emphasizes how difficult it is to notice the alteration.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tiny alteration" to describe a small change that has a significant impact. For instance, "a tiny alteration in the design significantly improved usability."

What phrases are similar to "a tiny alteration"?

Similar phrases include "a slight modification", "a minor adjustment", or "a small change", all suggesting a minimal change.

Is "a tiny alteration" formal or informal?

"A tiny alteration" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language. However, more formal alternatives like "a slight modification" may be preferred in highly formal settings.

What's the difference between "a tiny alteration" and "a dramatic alteration"?

"A tiny alteration" refers to a small change, while "a dramatic alteration" indicates a significant or substantial change. The choice depends on the magnitude of the change you are describing.