alter

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "alter" is correct and usable in written English.
It has different meanings depending on the context. For example, you can use it as a verb meaning to change something or to make something different. You could use it in a sentence like this: "The teacher altered the exam to make it more challenging for the students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The vote offered to "alter the constitution to establish the Commonwealth of Australia as a republic with the Queen and governor general being replaced by a president appointed by a two-thirds majority of the members of the Commonwealth parliament", and also included a second question about inserting a preamble in the constitution.

The Guardian

Their mission is to alter eating habits by offering a delicious burger for 99 cents, in a bun created by Tartine's Chad Robertson, rather than banging on about kale.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The troubled broadcaster, which suffered the dreaded zero audience rating for some of its shows after its launch on 31 March this year, was told by on Ofcom on Tuesday that the proposals were "significant variations" which would "substantially alter" its output.

The Guardian

I remember a time when foreign billionaires were allowed to make architectural changes to a posh part of London, and Prince Charles used his influence to alter it – it was never clear why the billionaires could do anything, but a future monarch was not even supposed to have an opinion.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When Faint talks to me about his clowning, he occasionally adopts the pantomime squeak of his painted alter ego.

The Guardian

And as we start connecting everything we touch to networks, the risks will rise by orders of magnitude – especially as criminals and governments infect and alter everyday devices.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their influence in Paris would be more impactful and more lasting than trying to convince a prepared and steadfast university endowment community to alter its ways.

The Guardian

The deputy prime minister said he believed Shapps's denials but then suggested the contested account going by the name of "Contribsx" could have been run by Michael Green – the alter ego used by Shapps to write a series of get-rich-quick guides.

The Guardian

Age UK funds the University of Edinburgh's The Disconnected Mind research project which examines how thinking skills alter with age and the influences behind those changes.

The Guardian

And even if you start a BBC career self-describing as working class, a few years later, outlook and circumstance can alter to a degree that renders the label untenable.

The Guardian

Others were less convinced that it was appropriate for an unelected royal to be seeking to alter the official policies of government.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "alter", consider the degree of change you want to convey. For significant changes, "transform" or "convert" might be more appropriate, while for minor adjustments, "modify" or "adjust" could be better choices.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "alter", which means to change, with "altar", which is a sacred table or platform used in religious ceremonies. The words are homophones but have completely different meanings and spellings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "alter" is as a transitive verb, indicating an action performed on an object to change its form or nature. Ludwig provides numerous examples where "alter" is used to describe modifications to various entities, from constitutions to clothing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Lifestyle

18%

Opinion

14%

Less common in

Business

3%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "alter" functions as a versatile verb signifying change or modification. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent use across diverse contexts, especially in news and lifestyle content. While synonyms like "modify" and "change" exist, understanding the nuances of each term is crucial for precise communication. Remember to differentiate "alter" from its homophone "altar" to avoid common errors. By considering the degree of change and the intended context, you can effectively incorporate "alter" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modify

Focuses on making partial or minor changes, often implying improvement.

change

A broad term indicating a transformation or shift in state.

adjust

Implies making small changes to achieve a better fit or result.

revise

Suggests a more thorough review and amendment, often in written material.

transform

Indicates a significant and dramatic change.

convert

Implies changing something into a different form or substance.

adapt

Focuses on making something suitable for a new purpose or condition.

remodel

Suggests changing the structure or design of something.

vary

Implies introducing differences or changes to avoid uniformity.

reshape

Focuses on changing the form or outline of something.

FAQs

How can I use "alter" in a sentence?

You can use "alter" as a verb to indicate changing something. For example, "The tailor will "alter the dress" to fit perfectly."

What's a good synonym for "alter"?

A good synonym for "alter" is "modify", which also means to change something, but often implies making smaller adjustments.

What's the difference between "alter" and "change"?

"Alter" and "change" are similar, but "alter" often suggests a more deliberate or controlled modification, whereas "change" can be a broader term for any transformation.

Is it correct to say "I'm going to alter my plans"?

Yes, it's perfectly correct to say "I'm going to "alter my plans"". It means you are going to make changes to your existing plans.