alter the results

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alter the results" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing changes made to data, findings, or outcomes in various contexts, such as research, experiments, or analyses. Example: "The researchers were accused of attempting to alter the results to fit their hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That, in turn, may alter the results.

Princeton University

Adding one tech stock would dramatically alter the results.

The New York Times

Historically, though, the committee has been extremely reluctant to alter the results of past events.

The New York Times - Sports

Excluding it from the base-change analysis does not substantially alter the results.

Nature

Removing these two participants from the analyses did not significantly alter the results (Supplementary Material).

Nature

Internet voting is fraught with problems, including the possibility that a hacker could break in and alter the results.

The New York Times

"It is not feasible to effectively conduct the described attacks to alter the results of the voting.

The Guardian - Tech

Additional adjustment for PINP did not alter the results.

Duke University

However, the removal did not alter the results.

Health Economics Review

This dummy did not alter the results qualitatively.

IZA Journal of Migration

As I've written about, very tiny changes in wording can dramatically alter the results of a survey.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing research or data analysis, use "alter the results" to clearly indicate a change or modification that has been made.

Common error

Avoid using "alter the results" when you mean to 'improve' or 'refine' the results. "Alter" implies a change, not necessarily an improvement. Be precise with your word choice to avoid misrepresenting your intentions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alter the results" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of modifying or changing outcomes, data, or findings, as supported by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

29%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "alter the results" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies making changes to data, findings, or outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across diverse fields like science, media, and academia. While versatile, writers should be mindful of the specific connotations, particularly distinguishing between "altering" and "improving" results. Alternative phrases such as "modify the outcomes" or "change the findings" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modify the outcomes

Focuses on the act of changing the final results.

change the findings

Emphasizes the alteration of research or investigative discoveries.

affect the consequences

Highlights the impact on subsequent events or effects.

influence the outcomes

Suggests a less direct method of changing results, implying persuasion or indirect effect.

impact the findings

Implies a significant effect on the research results.

adjust the results

Highlights making small changes to achieve a desired outcome.

skew the outcomes

Suggests distorting the results in a particular direction, often negatively.

manipulate the findings

Implies unethical or deceptive changing of the results.

reshape the results

Focuses on changing the form or structure of the results.

transform the outcomes

Indicates a complete and significant change in the results.

FAQs

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

You can use "alter the results" to describe actions that change outcomes, such as "The new methodology could "alter the results" significantly".

What are some alternatives to saying "alter the results"?

Depending on the context, you might use phrases like "modify the outcomes", "change the findings", or "influence the outcomes".

Is it correct to say "altering the results"?

Yes, "altering the results" is grammatically correct. It's the gerund form of the verb, often used in continuous tenses or as a noun. For example, "Altering the results required a new approach".

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

"Affect" generally means to have an influence on something, while "alter" means to change something. So, "affect the results" means to have an impact on the results, whereas "alter the results" means to change the results themselves.