alter the plans

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alter the plans" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing changes or modifications to previously established plans or arrangements. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we need to alter the plans for the event next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Recently, he said, a client showed him another architect's plans for a hotel in Lower Manhattan; Mr. Kaufman was able to alter the plans to squeeze in 25percentt more rooms.

The New York Times

Pentagon officials traveling with Mr. Gates and American military officials in Baghdad said that the bombings would not alter the plans for withdrawal of more than 50,000 American troops from Iraq next year.

The New York Times

However, Montgomery decided to accept the risk rather than alter the plans for Operation Market Garden.

Wikipedia

On 18 May, Bagramyan asked Timoshenko to alter the plans but Timoshenko along with Stalin refused to approve his request.

Wikipedia

In this case, you can have an architect alter the plans to your specifications.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

They say he has ignored their proposals to alter the plan.

The New York Times

So here we have it: The U.S. rejected six Chinese requests to alter the plan for the drills.

The New Yorker

But even before the secretaries of state, defense, justice and treasury finished speaking, House members elsewhere on Capitol Hill moved swiftly to alter the plan.

The New York Times

So why would the Nationals alter the plan for Strasburg — who has now thrown 1451/3 innings — simply because this year's team is better than last year's?

The New York Times - Sports

Rolet, who is due to leave once the merger goes through, also said the result of the 23 June referendum would not alter the plan for the business to be domiciles in the UK.

The Guardian - Business

Speaking today at a briefing, Mr. Chubais said he was prepared to alter the plan to take investors' opinions into account, but that he would not slow the pace.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "alter the plans", ensure the context clearly indicates what plans are being referred to and why the alteration is necessary. Providing specific reasons for the change enhances clarity and avoids confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "alter the plans" without specifying which plans are being altered. This lack of context can lead to ambiguity and misinterpretation. Always clarify the subject of the plans.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alter the plans" functions as a verb phrase, where "alter" is the main verb indicating an action of modification, and "the plans" serves as the direct object specifying what is being modified. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and readily usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "alter the plans" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for indicating a change to existing arrangements. While categorized as rare in frequency, Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and it finds application across various contexts including news, wikis, and scientific publications. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to provide specific context regarding which plans are being modified to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases like "modify the arrangements" or "revise the schedule" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modify the arrangements

Replaces "plans" with "arrangements", emphasizing the formal aspect of planning.

revise the schedule

Substitutes "plans" with "schedule", highlighting the timing aspect of the original plan.

adjust the itinerary

Replaces "plans" with "itinerary", focusing on travel or a sequence of events.

change the strategy

Emphasizes a shift in the overall approach rather than just the detailed plans.

amend the proposal

Specifically refers to altering a formal proposal or suggestion.

tweak the blueprint

Suggests minor adjustments to a detailed design or plan.

rework the scheme

Implies a more substantial revision of the initial plan.

reshape the project

Focuses on altering the overall form and scope of a project.

recast the program

Emphasizes a transformation in the structure and content of a program.

transform the agenda

Indicates a fundamental change to the list of items to be addressed.

FAQs

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

You can use "alter the plans" to indicate a change or modification to an existing plan. For example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we had to alter the plans for the conference."

What is a good alternative for "alter the plans"?

Alternatives include "modify the arrangements", "revise the schedule", or "adjust the itinerary", depending on the specific context.

When should I use "alter the plans" instead of "change the plans"?

"Alter the plans" is slightly more formal than "change the plans", but they are often interchangeable. "Alter" may be preferred in professional or official communications, while "change" is suitable for more informal settings.

Is it correct to say "alter the plan" instead of "alter the plans"?

Yes, "alter the plan" is correct if you are referring to a single, specific plan. "Alter the plans" is used when referring to multiple plans or a general set of arrangements.