alter text

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alter text" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of changing or modifying written content. Example: "Please alter the text in the document to reflect the latest updates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Shaw wired back, "Ascertain how many teeth will suffice and alter text accordingly".

The New York Times

His new technology aims to alter text size and styles automatically, enlarge and reduce segments of a document depending on which part is being read at the time, and give displays a look and feel based on user preferences.

The New York Times

The right to alter text is reserved for bureaucrats at official negotiating sessions, which this will not be, but it is hoped the ministers will be able to start bartering on the key sticking points - and divisions run deep.

The Guardian

You can't alter text fonts, for instance, and when choosing an image from your phone's photo library, there is no way to view the image in anything but a tiny thumbnail size.

The New York Times

Liverpool Council said the costs for its library website were just four hours of staff time to upload new pictures and alter text.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In 1903 a system of national textbooks was enacted, giving the Ministry of Education the authority to alter texts in accordance with political currents.

Britannica

The first patent, called "Voice assignment for text-t0-speech output," can alter text-to-speech (TTS) profiles based on metadata gleaned from content found on a user's phone or device.

TechCrunch

Fitted with an altered text, the work was later adopted as an anthem by the Fascists.

The New York Times - Arts

But although that version also has an altered text (to suit a specific liturgical use), Mr. Maazel and Ms. Murphy used the 1773 text.

The New York Times - Arts

They could have cut their losses and plumped for Edelweiss, but eventually, the Austrians settled on an altered text of "Home of great daughters, sons", which was put into effect in January 2012.

The Guardian - Opinion

One day after The White House released 100 pages of Benghazi emails, a report has surfaced alleging that Republicans released a set with altered text.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "alter text", ensure the context clearly indicates what aspect of the text is being modified (e.g., content, format, style).

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice when it obscures who is making the changes. Instead of saying "The text was altered", specify who altered it: "The editor altered the text".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alter text" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of changing or modifying written content. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in English. Examples show its use in contexts ranging from software functionalities to editorial processes.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "alter text" is a grammatically correct verb phrase that describes the act of changing or modifying written content. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, its usage is relatively rare according to Ludwig's data. The phrase is versatile, appearing in neutral contexts like news, encyclopedias, science, and wikis. To enhance clarity, specify the aspect of the text being altered. Alternatives include "modify the wording" or "revise the content". Avoiding the passive voice ensures clear communication about who is making the alterations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

edit the text

Implies making corrections and improvements to the text.

change the wording

Similar to 'modify the wording', emphasizing the specific words.

modify the wording

Focuses on changing the specific words used.

tweak the text

Suggests making minor adjustments for improvement.

adjust the text

Suggests making small changes to fine-tune the text.

rephrase the text

Highlights expressing the same meaning in different words.

revise the content

Highlights the act of reviewing and improving the existing content.

correct the text

Focuses on fixing errors in the text.

rewrite the passage

Emphasizes creating a new version of a specific section of the text.

amend the text

Implies making formal changes or additions.

FAQs

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

You can use "alter text" in a sentence like: "The software allows users to easily "alter text" size and fonts" or "The committee has the right to "alter text" for clarity".

What's a formal alternative to "alter text"?

A more formal alternative to "alter text" could be "revise the text" or "modify the content". These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it always necessary to specify what kind of alteration is being made to the text?

While not always necessary, specifying the type of alteration (e.g., content, format, style) can improve clarity and avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of just saying ""alter text"", you could say "alter the text's formatting".

What verbs are synonymous with "alter" when referring to text?

Synonymous verbs include modify, revise, edit, adjust, amend, and rewrite. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.