alter sth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alter sth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to making changes or modifications to something, where "sth" stands for "something." Example: "The designer decided to alter the dress to better fit the client's specifications."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In HeLa cells treated with STH, nascent mRNA synthesis did not alter significantly when compared to untreated samples [66].

Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics

Love cannot alter it.

The New Yorker

Alter your perspective.

Forbes

OK to alter Windows.

Forbes

Alter disagrees!

Huffington Post

Alter a t-shirt.

WikiHow

Alter a cheaper dress.

WikiHow

Alter the toe caps.

WikiHow

Alter a hoodie.

WikiHow

Alter your diet.

WikiHow

Alter your voice.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "alter sth", ensure the context makes it clear what "sth" refers to. For instance, clarify what you are altering to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "alter sth" without clearly specifying what you are altering. Unclear references can confuse readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alter sth" functions as a verb phrase where "alter" is the verb and "sth" is an abbreviated placeholder for "something", serving as the object of the verb. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "alter sth" is grammatically correct but lacks real-world examples in the provided data. It functions as a verb phrase indicating modification, with "sth" as an abbreviation for "something". Ludwig AI states that is correct and usable in written English. Due to the informality of the "sth" abbreviation, it is more suitable for informal contexts. Alternatives include "modify something" or "change something". When using the phrase, clarity is key to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modify something

This alternative uses a more formal synonym for "alter".

change something

This is a more basic and universally understood alternative.

adjust something

This implies a fine-tuning or small change.

revise something

Suggests a more thorough modification, often in written material.

adapt something

This suggests modifying something to suit new conditions or purposes.

transform something

Implies a significant and dramatic change.

reshape something

Suggests changing the form or structure of something.

rework something

Implies significant changes to improve something.

tweak something

Suggests a small, subtle adjustment.

correct something

Indicates fixing something that is wrong or inaccurate.

FAQs

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

You can use "alter sth" when you want to indicate that you are making changes or modifications to something. For example, "The designer decided to "alter the dress" to better fit the client's specifications."

What can I say instead of "alter sth"?

Alternatives to "alter sth" include "modify something", "change something", or "adjust something", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "sth" as an abbreviation in formal writing?

While "sth" is commonly used as an abbreviation for "something" in informal contexts, it is generally not appropriate for formal writing. In formal writing, it is better to spell out "something" or use a more specific term.

What's the difference between "alter sth" and "improve sth"?

"Alter sth" means to make changes to something, while "improve sth" means to make something better. Alteration doesn't necessarily imply improvement; it simply means a change has been made.