alter a lot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alter a lot" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing significant changes or modifications to something. Example: "The new policy will alter a lot of the existing procedures we have in place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That experience -- rallying from two sets down against Andrei Medvedev in the final -- set in motion a chain of events that would alter a lot more than his ranking.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I'd have to say Omar has altered a lot of people's strategic planning," Doug Melvin of Milwaukee said.

The New York Times - Sports

Leslie said the Sparks' size forced Atlanta, which shot 29%, into altering a lot of shots.

Los Angeles Times

"It destroyed and altered a lot of lives". In the interview, Spain refused to discuss his version of what happened during the riot, but he said he became disillusioned with the revolutionary politics of the period and quit the Black Panther Party in 1980.

Los Angeles Times

If you are altering a lot of shirts, try to locate a tape measure and measure what to cut of each one.

WikiHow

These are cheap, and can alter a room a lot - maybe even changing the colour of the light that comes through.

WikiHow

In the same way, the microbiome of a certain floor is also altered if a lot of people walk on it.

The Guardian

As the quantities increase, the way things mix and react alters a lot.

The Economist

There's a lot of undue concern that Haley will drastically alter a system that was really never broken.

The New York Times

Alter a recipe.

WikiHow

Alter a t-shirt.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be aware that while "alter a lot" is perfectly acceptable, more formal writing might benefit from stronger synonyms like "significantly modify" or "extensively revise".

Common error

Avoid using "alter a lot" excessively in formal reports or academic papers. While grammatically correct, it can sound less sophisticated than alternatives like "modify significantly" or "substantially revise". Assess whether a more precise verb would better convey the specific nature and extent of the change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alter a lot" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a significant degree of change or modification. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English, fitting well within various sentence structures to convey alterations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "alter a lot" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe substantial changes or modifications. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. While it is acceptable in many settings, it's important to consider the formality of the context. For more formal writing, consider using stronger synonyms such as "significantly modify" or "extensively revise" to maintain a sophisticated tone. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, wiki articles, and scientific publications. By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate register, you can effectively use "alter a lot" or its alternatives to convey the extent of changes in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

change significantly

Highlights the importance of the change, indicating a notable difference.

substantially change

Reverse order of the words, but keeps the overall meaning of altering something to a great extent.

adjust significantly

Highlights adaptation with an important change.

modify substantially

Emphasizes the degree of modification, suggesting a considerable change.

greatly modify

Changes the adjective and verb order, keeping the semantic similarity of a large change.

transform considerably

Suggests a complete change in form or appearance to a large extent.

revise extensively

Focuses on a thorough revision process, implying many alterations.

extensively rework

Highlights a thorough and comprehensive reworking of something, implying a significant level of change.

reshape dramatically

Implies a forceful and impactful alteration of something's form or structure.

affect profoundly

Shifts the focus to the impact of the change, emphasizing its depth and importance.

FAQs

How can I use "alter a lot" in a sentence?

You can use "alter a lot" to describe significant modifications or changes made to something. For example, "The new software update will "alter a lot" of the user interface."

What are some alternatives to saying "alter a lot"?

Alternatives include "change significantly", "modify substantially", or "extensively revise depending on the context".

Is "alter a lot" too informal for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "alter a lot" may sound less formal. Consider using stronger, more precise verbs like "significantly modify" or "substantially revise" in academic contexts.

What's the difference between "alter a lot" and "affect greatly"?

"Alter a lot" focuses on the changes made to something, while "affect greatly" emphasizes the impact or influence on something else. For example, "The new regulations will "alter a lot" of the existing procedures" versus "The new regulations will affect greatly the company's profits."