alter slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alter slightly" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to make a small or minor change to something. It is often used when discussing making adjustments or modifications to something, rather than completely changing it. Example: The designer decided to alter slightly the color of the dress to better match the client's preferences.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Fermat observed what Kepler had perceived earlier in investigating the most useful shapes for wine casks, that near its maximum (or minimum) a quantity scarcely changes as the variables on which it depends alter slightly.

Britannica

Such that the distance would alter slightly, it is not able to represent the degree of deformation in the resized image sufficiently.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

For both series of experiments, the allocated workloads are of different dynamics: at certain time intervals, they either alter slightly or dramatically.

Journal of Cloud Computing

Elm Park, who'll be ridden by the Sheikh's employed jockey Andrea Atzeni, is due to go directly to the QIPCO 2000 Guineas on 2 May, though plans could alter slightly if the going at Newmarket is considered "lightning fast".

BBC

The deformation energy of system displays that the geometry and structure of BN nanosheet and nitramide in the BN nanosheet/NH2NO2 complex change significantly from the original state, whereas the quantum parameters and gap energy of the BN nanosheet/NH2NO2 system alter slightly from the original state.

Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry

The average swimming depths of juvenile guppies were also found to alter slightly with acclimation temperature.

Biology Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Its boundaries were altered slightly in 1993.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The lottery procedure has been altered slightly.

The New York Times - Sports

F. alnus altered slightly fermentation parameters.

International Congress Series

–altered slightly from Hudibras, p. 1, c. iii.

Princeton University

Stringed keyboard instruments have sometimes been altered slightly for various reasons.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "alter slightly" when you want to convey that a change is minor and doesn't significantly impact the overall subject. For emphasis on the small difference, prefer it over alternatives like "change a lot".

Common error

Avoid using "alter slightly" when the intended change is substantial or transformative. If the impact is significant, consider stronger verbs like "transform", "overhaul", or "revolutionize" to accurately reflect the magnitude of the modification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alter slightly" functions as a verb phrase indicating a minor modification or adjustment. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, from science to news, demonstrating its versatility in describing small changes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "alter slightly" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that means to make a small or minor change to something. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates a modification that does not substantially change the subject. It is commonly used across diverse contexts like science, news, and encyclopedias. While it doesn't appear frequently, "alter slightly" provides a precise way to describe a minor adjustment, and can be replaced by alternatives like "modify marginally" or "adjust subtly" to achieve similar nuances. Use "alter slightly" when a change is small, and avoid it when the modification is substantial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modify marginally

Focuses on the small degree of change, similar to "slightly".

adjust subtly

Highlights the delicate and understated nature of the change.

revise gently

Emphasizes a careful and considerate modification process.

tweak minimally

Suggests very small adjustments, often to optimize something.

shift incrementally

Implies a gradual change over time.

correct modestly

Indicates a small correction to something.

vary fractionally

Highlights the small variation or deviation.

improve incrementally

Focuses on the enhancement aspect of making small changes over time.

adapt gradually

Emphasizes the slow and progressive nature of the adaptation.

refine subtly

Focuses on making delicate improvements.

FAQs

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

You can use "alter slightly" to indicate a minor modification, for example: "The recipe needs to "be altered slightly" to reduce the sugar content."

What does "alter slightly" mean?

"Alter slightly" means to change something to a small extent, indicating a minor adjustment or modification without fundamentally changing its nature.

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

"Alter slightly" implies a small change, while "change significantly" suggests a large and noticeable difference. The choice depends on the degree of modification you want to convey.

What are some alternatives to using "alter slightly" in writing?

Consider using alternatives like "adjust subtly", "modify marginally", or "tweak minimally" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.