alter the quantity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alter the quantity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing changes to amounts or numbers in various contexts, such as inventory management, data analysis, or any situation where quantities are involved. Example: "To meet the new demand, we need to alter the quantity of products we order from our suppliers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

You may want to increase or decrease that and alter the quantity of toasted mustard seed.

The New York Times

Indeed, responses to plant competitors are likely to alter the quantity, quality and availability of resources supplied by a host plant to its microbiome27.

Nature

Strong thermal stratification and episodic mixing in ponds likely alter the quantity and timing of internal nutrient loading, and hence affect water quality and aquatic communities in downstream receiving waters.

Journal of Environmental Management

Further studies are warranted as lack of glycosylation may alter the quantity or nature of responses measured.

Plosone

The aforementioned factors have presented a level of convergent evidence that, in microorganisms, most synonymous substitution may slightly alter the quantity of proteins by altering the translational process.

Evolutionary Applications

27 In addition, substitutions in one or two amino acids of a protein sequence can alter the quantity of encoded protein during expression in mammalian cells.

Bioinformatics and Biology Insights

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Such probiotic strains enhance the barrier function and could alter the quantities of mucolytic bacteria.

BMC Gastroenterology

You can alter the quantities according to your recipe, just keep the amounts proportional.

WikiHow

Agricultural expansion and intensification have altered the quantity and quality of global water flows.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

Factors such as water conservation efforts, changes in population, and efforts to reduce infiltration are altering the quantity and quality of sewage.

Journal of Environmental Management

Wildfire behavior can be modified by altering the quantity, structure, and arrangement of fuel (flammable vegetation) by silvicultural treatments such as forest thinning and prescribed burning.

Forest Ecology and Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "alter the quantity", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being measured or counted. For example, specify "alter the quantity of ingredients" or "alter the quantity of data points".

Common error

Avoid using "alter the quantity" in situations where the change is qualitative rather than quantitative. For instance, it's incorrect to say "alter the quantity of emotions"; instead, consider using "change the nature of emotions".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "alter the quantity" is as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a sentence. As demonstrated in the examples from Ludwig, it describes the action of modifying or changing an amount.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "alter the quantity" is grammatically correct and used to describe modifying an amount or number. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not extremely common, it appears most frequently in scientific contexts, as revealed by Ludwig's examples. Related phrases include "modify the amount" and "adjust the number". When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what is being measured. Be mindful that it is best suited for quantitative changes, not qualitative ones. Top sources using this phrase include The New York Times and Nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modify the amount

Replaces "quantity" with "amount", a direct synonym, slightly changing the phrasing.

adjust the number

Substitutes "quantity" with "number", suitable when referring to countable items.

change the volume

Replaces "quantity" with "volume", applicable when referring to bulk or capacity.

vary the extent

Uses "extent" to convey the degree or scope, adding a layer of abstraction.

regulate the dosage

Employs "dosage", specifically useful in contexts like medicine or recipes.

shift the proportions

Focuses on relative amounts rather than absolute numbers.

calibrate the magnitude

Introduces a more technical term, "magnitude", suitable for scientific contexts.

recalculate the total

Highlights the act of recomputing after a change.

fine-tune the measure

Suggests making small, precise adjustments.

tweak the figures

Implies minor alterations to numerical data.

FAQs

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

You can use "alter the quantity" to describe modifying an amount. For example, "We need to "alter the quantity" of raw materials to meet the increased demand."

What phrases are similar to "alter the quantity"?

Similar phrases include "modify the amount", "adjust the number", or "change the volume", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "change the quantity" instead of "alter the quantity"?

Yes, "change the quantity" is a valid and often more common alternative to "alter the quantity". The choice depends on stylistic preference.

What's the difference between "alter the quantity" and "adjust the quantity"?

While similar, "adjust the quantity" often implies a more precise or controlled change, whereas ""alter the quantity"" can refer to a broader range of modifications.