alter the balance

USAGE SUMMARY

'alter the balance' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to changing the relative proportion of something. For example, "The introduction of new taxes has altered the balance of public spending."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It could alter the balance of power in Albany".

The New York Times

Overfishing has tended to alter the balance of species.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Stress, too, can alter the balance of hormones and cause spots in men and women.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It remained unclear on Saturday how the recent confrontations might alter the balance of power here.

The New York Times

A Democratic wave is once again threatening to alter the balance of power in Washington.

The Guardian - Opinion

He has interests and passions, and it is possible to alter the balance between them.

The New York Times

They do not significantly alter the balance of power in the current Parliament.

The New York Times

Indeed, an agreement with United Artists would not alter the balance of power in the strike.

The New York Times

President-elect Obama has made it clear that he plans to alter the balance significantly.

The New Yorker

These new filtering abilities alter the balance between Chinese censors and users.

Harvard University

Not that he has wanted to alter the balance of the Cheltenham programmes too radically.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "alter the balance", ensure the context clearly defines what elements are being balanced and how the alteration affects the overall situation.

Common error

Avoid using "alter the balance" without specifying the domain or context. For instance, instead of saying "This will alter the balance", clarify with "This policy change will alter the balance of power within the committee."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alter the balance" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating an action that causes a change in a state of equilibrium or proportion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "alter the balance" is a versatile and commonly used expression that signifies a shift in equilibrium or proportion. As Ludwig AI validates, its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in diverse contexts—ranging from news and media to science and formal business—underscore its reliability and broad applicability. Effective use of "alter the balance" requires a clear definition of what elements are being balanced, as exemplified by the numerous instances found in Ludwig. While interchangeable with alternatives like "change the equilibrium" or "shift the dynamics", each carries nuances that may make it more suitable depending on the context. Overall, understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate register allows for its confident and precise application in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

change the equilibrium

Uses "equilibrium" instead of "balance", implying a state of equilibrium is being disrupted.

shift the dynamics

Focuses on changing the underlying forces or relationships within a system.

adjust the proportion

Emphasizes modifying the relative size or amount of different components.

modify the ratio

Highlights altering a quantitative relationship between two things.

redistribute the weight

Implies a change in emphasis or importance assigned to different elements.

rearrange the elements

Focuses on altering the configuration of the components of a system.

correct the imbalance

Highlights fixing an existing state of disproportion or inequality.

influence the distribution

Emphasizes affecting the way something is spread out or allocated.

transform the symmetry

Focuses on changing the symmetrical arrangement of something.

disturb the steadiness

Implies disrupting a stable or unchanging state.

FAQs

How can I use "alter the balance" in a sentence?

You can use "alter the balance" to describe a change in equilibrium or proportion. For instance, "The new regulations will "alter the balance" between environmental protection and economic development."

What is a good substitute for "alter the balance"?

Alternatives to "alter the balance" include phrases like "change the equilibrium", "shift the dynamics", or "adjust the proportion", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "change the balance" or "alter the balance"?

Both "change the balance" and ""alter the balance"" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, although "alter" may sound slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "affect the balance" and "alter the balance"?

"Affect the balance" means to have an influence on the existing equilibrium, while ""alter the balance"" implies a direct modification or change to that equilibrium. "Affect" is a broader term than "alter".